Amazon Echo Shifts Completely to Cloud Processing

Amazon has announced a major update to its Echo devices, eliminating the option for users to process Alexa requests locally, going forward, all voice recordings will be transmitted to Amazon’s cloud.

This change aims to enhance Alexa’s functionality through generative AI, which relies heavily on cloud computing.

According to a report from Ars Technica, Amazon informed customers via email on Friday that the “Do Not Send Voice Recordings” feature on Echo smart speakers and displays will be discontinued as of March 28.

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The company explained that this change is tied to expanding Alexa’s capabilities with generative AI, which requires the processing power of Amazon’s secure cloud.

This development coincides with the launch of a new version of the voice assistant, branded as Alexa+.

The shift has reignited discussions around privacy concerns, an issue Amazon has faced before. In 2023, the company agreed to pay $25 million to settle a Federal Trade Commission case over alleged violations of children’s privacy laws.

Tech Crunch