Privacy or convenience? Amazon changes Alexa rules

Amazon is presenting its customers with a tough decision: more convenience through improved AI functions or more data protection with restricted use. A central privacy setting that previously allowed the local processing of voice data will be removed from March 28, 2025. Anyone who wants to continue using Amazon's voice assistant Alexa with its full range of functions must agree to voice recordings being stored and processed in the cloud.

This means that without cloud storage, there will be no Alexa Plus and possibly not even the previous range of functions. Users who opt for data protection are therefore faced with a fait accompli.

Cloud compulsion: voice recordings no longer remain local

Previously, users could activate the option for their voice commands to only be processed locally on the Echo device. This prevented the recordings from being sent to the Amazon cloud. But this will soon come to an end. According to reports from Arstechnica, Amazon has informed its customers of the upcoming change by email.

The official reason: Alexa's powerful AI functions require the computing capacity of the cloud. Although Amazon states that recorded voice data is automatically deleted after processing, there is no real control over whether and for how long it is stored.

Amazon has already been criticized in the past for its handling of voice recordings. Reports of employees listening to voice recordings in order to improve the system caused outrage. The new change could put user trust to the test again.

Voice ID can only be used with cloud storage

Particularly controversial: If you want to use Alexa's Voice ID function - i.e. Alexa's ability to recognize different users by their voice - you must allow voice recordings to be saved in the cloud. Without this consent, Voice ID is no longer available.

Until now, Voice ID also worked without explicit cloud storage - even if Amazon never officially guaranteed this. From March 28, however, this option will be abolished for good.

Amazon defends itself - but skepticism remains

In a statement to Golem.de, an Amazon spokesperson emphasized that the protection of privacy remains a high priority. Customers can choose from a range of privacy options, including the option of not saving voice recordings at all. In addition, the controversial change will initially only be implemented in the USA.

Nevertheless, the question remains: will Amazon also introduce cloud compulsion in other markets such as Germany in the long term? And what does this mean for users who have deliberately chosen their smart devices for local processing?

One thing is certain: anyone who wants to continue using Alexa will have to adapt to new data protection conditions - or look for alternatives.