 "Alexa is getting an AI upgrade– it could be bad news for your privacy all the more")
Amazon is rolling out a new update for its Alexa virtual assistant called “Alexa+,” which includes advanced generative AI features. But along with these upgrades comes a major privacy change: you will no longer be able to stop your voice recordings from being sent to Amazon’s servers.
Until now, some Alexa devices gave users the option to process voice commands locally– meaning your requests could be handled by the device itself without sending anything to the cloud.
There was also a “Do Not Send Voice Recordings” setting for users who wanted to keep their interactions private. However, starting March 28, Amazon is removing that option entirely, Futurism reported.
From that point on, everything you say to Alexa will be sent to Amazon’s cloud servers and stored there, with no way to opt out. Amazon says this change is necessary because the new AI features require more computing power than the devices themselves can handle.
They also claim that very few users used the local processing option– only about 0.3 per cent of Echo device owners– partly because most devices didn’t support it in the first place
Hit to privacy
Critics argue this move is a serious blow to user privacy. Alexa has a history of privacy issues, including accidentally recording private conversations and, in some cases, sending recordings to strangers. Amazon has also admitted that its employees listen to snippets of Alexa interactions to improve the system.
Despite all this, Amazon says user data is safe and that privacy remains a priority. They insist that their cloud systems are secure and that the changes are necessary to provide a better, AI-enhanced experience.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsStill, for many users, this update raises troubling questions about how much control they really have over their personal data– and how much Amazon is listening.
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