Amazon to End Local Voice Storage for Echo Devices, Moving All Alexa Requests to the Cloud

Starting March 28, 2025, Amazon will eliminate the “Do Not Send Voice Recordings” option for Echo devices, meaning all Alexa voice requests will be processed through Amazon’s secure cloud servers. This change affects Echo devices that currently support on-device voice recording storage.

In an email sent to users, Amazon explained that this shift is due to the expansion of Alexa’s capabilities with generative AI features, which require cloud-based processing to function effectively. These features are part of Alexa+, a more advanced version of Alexa that can summarize documents, search through shared emails, and provide contextual information. Alexa+ will be included as a free perk for Amazon Prime members or available for $19.99 per month for non-Prime users.

No More Local Processing: What It Means for Users

After March 28, Echo users who previously opted out of sending their recordings to Amazon will be automatically switched to a “Don’t save recordings” setting. This setting will ensure that while voice recordings are still sent to Amazon for processing, they will be immediately deleted after processing. However, this also means:

• Voice ID won’t work: Alexa will no longer be able to recognize individual voices or retain personalized settings.

• Loss of previous voice data: All previously stored voice recordings will be deleted.

These changes will prevent users from training Alexa to personalize responses or recognize different family members, reducing the effectiveness of certain features.

Privacy Concerns and Amazon’s Track Record

This decision has sparked concerns among privacy advocates, given Amazon’s past issues with data management. In 2023, Amazon paid a $25 million civil settlement after failing to disclose that it retained recordings of children’s conversations with Alexa indefinitely. Additionally, Amazon has been compelled in the past to hand over Alexa data as evidence in criminal cases in both the US and Germany.

New Alexa+ Features and Impact on Privacy

The enhanced Alexa+ service, which relies on advanced generative AI, won’t be available to users who choose not to store their voice recordings. Alexa+ introduces features that allow for:

✅ Summarizing documents and emails shared with Alexa
✅ Searching and retrieving information across platforms
✅ Offering more conversational and human-like interactions

However, these features come at the cost of greater data processing and cloud dependence.

Backlash from Users and Privacy Advocates

Not everyone is thrilled about the change. A popular Reddit thread humorously suggested that this could be a “great opportunity to discontinue Amazon Alexa.” Critics argue that Amazon’s move to cloud-only processing could lead to greater risks of data exposure and further diminish user privacy.

As the deadline approaches, users who prioritize privacy may need to reconsider their relationship with Amazon’s Echo ecosystem—or explore alternative smart home devices that offer more local data control.