The ‘Do not send voice recordings’ feature, which was limited to three Echo devices, will go away on March 28th.
Amazon has announced a significant change to its Echo smart speakers, and privacy-conscious users may not be thrilled. The company is discontinuing a feature that allowed certain Echo devices to process voice commands locally, rather than sending them to the cloud. As per an email sent to users—later shared on Reddit—this feature will be disabled on March 28, 2025.
A Shift Towards the Cloud and Generative AI
The timing of this change coincides with Amazon’s upcoming launch of its generative AI-powered Alexa Plus, which is expected to debut later this month—possibly on March 28th itself. The company explained in its email:
“As we continue to expand Alexa’s capabilities with generative AI features that rely on the processing power of Amazon’s secure cloud, we have decided to no longer support this feature.”
This means that going forward, all Alexa requests will be processed in Amazon’s cloud, even if they are as simple as turning off a light or adjusting a thermostat.
Amazon’s Statement and Privacy Implications
Amazon confirmed the change in an email to The Verge, where spokesperson Lauren Raemhild assured users that privacy remains a top priority:
“The Alexa experience is designed to protect our customers’ privacy and keep their data secure, and that’s not changing. 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.”
While Amazon emphasizes that users can still delete their recordings after they’ve been processed, the key difference is that voice commands will no longer be handled locally. Instead, they will be transmitted to Amazon’s servers before being erased.
What Happens If You Had “Do Not Send Voice Recordings” Enabled?
If you had previously enabled the “Do Not Send Voice Recordings” option, it will be automatically switched to “Don’t save recordings” starting March 28, 2025. This means that while your recordings won’t be stored long-term, they will still be sent to the cloud, processed, and then deleted.
A Feature That Few Knew About—And Fewer Used
For those unfamiliar with this now-disappearing feature, it was only available on a handful of Echo devices, specifically:
- Echo Dot (4th Gen)
- Echo Show 10
- Echo Show 15
Additionally, it was limited to customers in the United States using English as their device language. Given these restrictions, it’s not surprising that many Echo users were unaware of its existence. However, for those who did use it, the removal of local voice processing feels like a step backward.
A Missed Opportunity for Smart Home Users
For smart home enthusiasts who rely on Alexa for simple tasks—such as turning on lights, adjusting thermostats, or playing music—the loss of local processing is disappointing. Many had hoped Amazon would expand the feature to more devices rather than removing it entirely. Local processing generally offers faster response times and improved privacy, making it an attractive option for users who don’t need their requests analyzed in the cloud.
But Amazon has made its stance clear: Alexa’s future lies in the cloud, particularly as the company leans into AI-powered voice assistance.
Are There Alternatives for Privacy-Focused Users?
If you’re uncomfortable with all Alexa requests being processed in the cloud, you might want to explore alternatives. Home Assistant’s new Voice PE is a promising option for those who want a non-cloud-dependent voice assistant. Unlike Alexa, Voice PE processes commands locally, keeping your data completely private while still offering smart home functionality.
Other privacy-focused voice assistants, such as Mycroft AI or Apple’s Siri (which has some on-device processing capabilities), might also be worth considering depending on your needs.
The Future of Alexa and Smart Assistants
Amazon’s move aligns with a broader trend in tech: the increasing reliance on cloud computing and AI-driven voice assistants. While this shift allows for more advanced and responsive features, it also raises concerns about data privacy and user control.
For now, Echo users who valued local processing will need to adjust to this new reality—or start looking for alternative smart home solutions. What’s clear is that Alexa’s next chapter is deeply intertwined with the power of the cloud, whether users like it or not.
What are your thoughts on this change? Do you prefer the convenience of cloud-based AI, or do you miss the days of local voice processing? Let us know in the comments!
