Amazon Discontinues Local Voice Processing for Echo Devices

Amazon is removing the ability for specific Echo devices to process Alexa voice requests locally, instead requiring all requests to be sent to the cloud.

The change, which takes effect on March 28, applies to the Echo Dot (4th Gen), Echo Show 10, and Echo Show 15, an Amazon spokesperson confirmed to The Verge.

Users who previously enabled the “Do Not Send Voice Recordings” setting will see it automatically switched to “Don’t Save Recordings”.

This means that while voice requests will now be processed in the cloud, they will be deleted after processing, and any previously saved recordings will be removed.

Amazon says the shift aligns with its plan to expand Alexa’s generative AI capabilities, which require cloud processing power.

While Amazon emphasises security and enhanced AI capabilities, some users may see this as a setback for privacy, as voice recordings will no longer be processed on-device.