Amazon is making headlines this Friday by discontinuing a privacy feature on Alexa-enabled devices. Until now, select US devices like the Echo Dot 4th generation, Echo Show 10, and Echo Show 15 offered a "do not send voice recordings" setting, giving users extra control over their data.
Starting this week, even those who had enabled the setting will automatically switch to "do not save recordings." In this mode, voice interactions are sent to the cloud to power the upcoming Alexa Plus AI upgrade and then deleted afterward. Although Amazon noted that less than 0.03% of users ever activated the original setting, critics argue it was too hidden in the menus to be truly accessible.
This change stokes a larger debate: Can rapid AI innovation coexist with robust privacy controls? While tech fans are hyped for smarter, more responsive devices, digital rights advocates warn that sacrificing opt-out options might set a worrisome precedent for reduced data control in future tech updates.
In contrast, the Chinese mainland's regulatory approach under the Personal Information Protection Law (PIPL) demands explicit consent for data collection and even requires local storage options for sensitive information. Domestic smart assistants like Baidu's Xiaodu and Alibaba's Tmall Genie operate under these strict rules, emphasizing user privacy.
As Alexa prepares for its next-gen AI transformation, one has to wonder: Are we trading privacy for technological progress? The debate is heating up, and only time will tell how this balance evolves. 🔍🤖
Reference(s):
Amazon scraps Alexa privacy option for AI upgrade, raising concerns
cgtn.com
