Amazon Alexa devices are designed to listen for their wake word, not to eavesdrop on conversations. According to Amazon, the device only processes acoustic patterns to detect the wake word before activating full listening and recording. This balance allows Alexa to function while minimizing unnecessary audio capture.
Users concerned about privacy can mute the microphone physically on Echo devices or adjust recording retention settings in the Alexa app. Options include auto-deleting recordings after 3 or 18 months, or not saving them at all. Voice deletion commands are also available, though not compatible with Alexa+ or Amazon Kids.
Third-party Alexa-enabled devices may retain data independently of Amazon’s cloud settings.
Source: Engadget · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing