Amazon to end local voice processing on Echo devices—but do people care?

Amazon Echo devices will stop supporting local processing of voice requests starting March 28, 2025.

In a few days, all requests made to Alexa will be processed through Amazon’s cloud rather than locally on the device. Amazon has notified Echo users about the change via email.

“We are reaching out to let you know that the Alexa feature ‘Do Not Send Voice Recordings’ that you enabled on your supported Echo device(s) will no longer be available beginning March 28, 2025,” the email reads.

“As we continue to expand Alexa’s capabilities with generative AI features that rely on the processing power of Amazon’s secure cloud, we have decided to no longer support this feature.”

The update means that everything users say to their Echo devices after March 28 will be processed by and stored in Amazon’s cloud. Users who enable the “Don’t save recordings” option will lose access to Voice ID, a feature that allows Alexa to deliver user-specific responses in multi-occupant homes for calendar events and music preferences, for example. To keep the functionality, users will need to adjust their settings manually.

Security and privacy concerns

Amazon has attempted to reassure users about their privacy in its announcement, stating that “Alexa voice requests are always encrypted in transit to Amazon’s secure cloud, which was designed with layers of security protections to keep customer information safe.” The company also said that customers can manage privacy settings through the Alexa Privacy dashboard or the Alexa app.

However, once data reaches Amazon’s servers, it is in the company’s control. As reported by Ars Technica, Amazon and its employees will have access to decrypted information, to potentially be monetised or used in AI training.

Amazon has acknowledged in the past that it collects data about third-party devices on users’ home netwoks, that Alexa doesn’t interact with, and that it doesn’t always delete stored data obtained through voice interactions.

User backlash

The recent change has drawn criticism from Alexa users, with many expressing frustration on social media. Some have raised concerns about privacy and data security, questioning why Amazon needs to collect and store voice data for AI improvements.

The idea of a company having access to personal conversations made in the privacy of users’ homes has made some users uneasy. For many, local processing was a key reason for using Alexa because it gave them more control over how data was handled.

Despite privacy concerns, Amazon Echo remains one of the most widely used smart speakers. According to a Statista survey from September 2024, Amazon Echo is the leading smart speaker brand among US consumers, with over 40 million Echo devices in American households. However, Echo sales have been declining in recent years as competition increases and smart speaker adoption plateaus.

Echo hardware has been sold at less than its production costs historically, with company considering the installation of devices in users’ homes an investment in future revenues generated by the technology. Amazon’s ‘Worldwide Digital’ unit, which includes Echo and Alexa, ran a $3 billion operating loss in the first quarter of 2022, according to Business Insider.

Connection to Alexa+ subscription

Amazon recently announcemed Alexa+, a subscription service that will add AI-powered enhancements to Alexa. Alexa+ was initially delayed because of technical setbacks, but it is expected to launch later this year.

Amazon says Alexa+ will give a more context-aware experience, improving interactions between Alexa-enabled devices such as Ring doorbell cameras. The transition to cloud processing aligns with the rollout of Alexa+, suggesting that more AI-powered features will rely on cloud-based data handling, and points to the company looking for increasing the financial returns on its data collection, processing, and dissemination operations.

What’s next for Echo users

Echo owners who wish to keep using Voice ID or other AI features will need to allow Amazon to capture and process all voice audio. Those who repeatedly delete recordings may lose access to Alexa functions that were previously available by default.

The shift reflects a broader trend toward cloud-based AI models, which offer more advanced capabilities but raise questions about privacy, user control, and data ownership.

(Photo by Unsplash)

See also: AWS strengthens ties with Australian Government in new cloud agreement.

Want to learn more about cybersecurity and the cloud from industry leaders? Check out Cyber Security & Cloud Expo taking place in Amsterdam, California, and London.

Explore other upcoming enterprise technology events and webinars powered by TechForge here.