Amazon is discontinuing the “Do Not Send Voice Recordings” feature for select Echo smart speakers, effective March 28th, 2025. This feature allowed certain models to process voice requests locally without sending data to the cloud.
Amazon ends voice recording feature for Echo devices
The decision connects to Amazon’s launch of its generative AI-powered Alexa Plus, planned for the same day. An email from the company indicated, “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.” Amazon’s spokesperson, Lauren Raemhild, stated that the Alexa experience is designed to protect customer privacy and keep data secure, emphasizing that the focus is on privacy tools that are compatible with generative AI experiences.
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Under the new settings, if users do not take action, their Alexa settings will change to “Don’t save recordings” on March 28th. Consequently, voice recordings will be sent to and processed in the cloud and will be deleted after Alexa processes the request. Any previously saved voice recordings will also be deleted. Raemhild clarified that while users can still request deletion of voice recordings after they have been sent to the cloud, the update will disable features such as voice ID for personalized access.
The local processing option was limited to three Echo devices—the Echo Dot (4th Gen), Echo Show 10, and Echo Show 15—and was available only to U.S. customers using English. This change has disappointed some users, especially smart home device owners who utilized the voice assistant for simple tasks such as controlling lights or thermostats.
Amazon concluded the communication with guidance on how to change settings before the deadline, ensuring that customers understand the implications of the discontinuation.
Featured image credit: Amazon
