Amazon announces new hardware and the rollout of Alexa+, noting that over 600 million Alexa-enabled devices have been purchased worldwide.
The update outlines how local wake-word detection triggers cloud audio transmission and details privacy controls for managing voice data.
How listening works
According to Amazon, the device doesn't normally listen to or record every word spoken in the room. Instead, it constantly monitors only for specific sound patterns that match its wake-up word. Once it recognizes that word, it goes into active listening mode, recording the audio or sending it to the company's remote computers.
How to check your microphone and recordings
For those who want to be in control, there are settings available. The most direct solution is to manually disable the microphone by pressing the dedicated button on the top of the device, which turns red when the microphone is off.
Additionally, users can manage their voice recordings and transcripts within the Alexa app by navigating to Privacy Settings, Data Management, and Voice Recordings. There, they can choose whether recordings are stored for three or 18 months, until they delete them themselves, or not at all. From the same screen, users can also change how history from other smart devices and detected sounds is stored.
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Some devices even allow voice deletion, allowing users to say phrases like delete what was said today, although this feature doesn't work on devices running the Alexa+ version or on Amazon's kids devices.
What should you do?
The settings that delete recordings apply only to Amazon systems. Third-party devices, such as robotic vacuums or TVs connected to the system, may retain their own history. Finally, deleting recordings may affect Alexa's ability to adapt to the user's needs, as it disables the ability to maintain a personal voice profile.
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