AMAZON is shutting down a major feature on Echo speakers as it prepares for a huge upgrade to Alexa.
And people have less than a week left to continue using the tool in question.
Echo (4th Gen) is one of the devices losing the feature[/caption]
Amazon is removing the “do not send voice recordings” button, an option that was popular among privacy-conscious users.
“Do not send voice recordings” allows you to have audio commands processed on the Echo speaker itself instead of being sent off to Amazon’s cloud.
But from now on, all devices will have to allow processing to happen on the company’s cloud only.
The tool is due to disappear this coming Friday, March 28.
Amazon has already started warning those affected about the move via email.
The firm insists user data is secure when being sent to the cloud.
“We are reaching out to let you know that the Alexa feature ‘Do Not Send Voice Recordings’ that you enabled on your supported Echo device(s) will no longer be available beginning March 28, 2025,” the email says.
“This feature allowed compatible Echo devices to process the audio of Alexa requests locally on device.
“As we continue to expand Alexa’s capabilities with generative AI feature that rely on the processing power of amazon’s secure cloud, we have decided to no longer support this feature.”
“The Alexa experience is designed to protect our customers’ privacy and keep their data secure, and that’s not changing,” a spokesperson told The Sun.
“We’re focusing on the privacy tools and controls that our customers use most and work well with generative AI experiences that rely on the processing power of Amazon’s secure cloud.
“Customers can continue to choose from a robust set of tools and controls, including the option to not save their voice recordings at all.
“We’ll continue learning from customer feedback, and building privacy features on their behalf.”
It all comes weeks after the tech giant revealed a huge change is coming to Alexa.
The popular voice-powered assistant is getting the AI treatment so it can talk back in a much more human fashion with greater personalisation.
Alexa+ will be a paid-for upgrade but those who subscribe to Amazon Prime can use it at no extra cost.
“Do not send voice recordings” was only ever available on three devices.
This includes:
- Echo (4th Gen)
- Echo Show 10
- Echo Show 15
AI-NY GOOD? THE EXPERT VIEW
Here’s what tech industry expert Paolo Pescatore, of PP Foresight, made of the new Alexa+ upgrade…
“Taking AI to the masses,” Paolo explained.
“There’s a lot riding on this revamp service given the lengthy delays and to justify the huge investments poured into AI and everything else.
“Ultimately consumers have not shown a greater willingness to use features beyond basic requests.
“We are now starting to see meaningful developments in the world of AI that promise to offer users a personalised experience.
“The biggest question is whether users are ready, given their early experiences and concerns around security and trust.
“These factors still remain huge barriers to wider adoption.
“If executed well, should resonate with customers rather than getting users to fork out for another additional monthly fee.
“All of these latest moves reinforce the importance of Prime and providing users with a one stop shop for nearly everything.
“A big moment for the new devices and services chief Panos Panay.”
Picture Credit: Sean Keach / The Sun
