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Amazon Echo users will no longer have the option to process their Alexa requests locally, which means all of their voice recordings will be sent to the company\u2019s cloud.<\/p>\n
Ars Technica reports<\/a> that on Friday, Amazon sent an email to customers who have \u201cDo Not Send Voice Recordings\u201d enabled on their Echo smart speakers and displays, stating the company would stop supporting the privacy-enhancing feature<\/a> on March 28.<\/p>\n \u201cAs we continue to expand Alexa\u2019s capabilities with generative AI features that rely on the processing power of Amazon\u2019s secure cloud, we have decided to no longer support this feature,\u201d the email said.<\/p>\n This comes as Amazon is rolling out a new version of its voice-controlled AI assistant, now known as Alexa+<\/a>. Consumers and regulators have raised concerns about Alexa\u2019s privacy implications in the past, with Amazon agreeing to pay a $25 million<\/a> in 2023 settlement with the Federal Trade Commission over children\u2019s privacy.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n