Amazon is set to change the way its popular voice assistant, Alexa, handles your voice recordings, and users might not be too thrilled about it. An email circulated to Alexa users has revealed that on March 28, the company will discontinue the “Do Not Send Voice Recordings” setting. Once this change takes effect, users who previously opted out of sending their recordings to the cloud will have that setting revoked automatically—leaving many wondering if this marks a new era of surveillance in their smart homes.

In the announcement, which first appeared on Reddit and was covered by Ars Technica, Amazon stated that the discontinuation is necessary as they enhance Alexa’s features using generative AI technology reliant on cloud processing. This means starting March 28, if users do not take action, their Alexa settings will change to “Don’t save recordings,” leading to their voice data being sent to Amazon’s servers. Although Amazon claims recordings will be deleted after they fulfill any requests made by the user, the move raises concerns over user privacy.

The feature, which was available on devices like the Echo Dot and the Echo Show 10 and 15, allowed voice processing to happen on the device itself instead of relying on cloud storage. From March 28 onward, no voice recordings will be retained on these devices, which could fundamentally change the user experience for many loyal Alexa fans.

Amazon insists that user privacy remains a priority. In a statement to Gizmodo, a company spokesperson emphasized that customers have tools to control their voice recordings. Nevertheless, the fact remains that many users may feel backed into a corner, with the only surefire way to avoid having their interactions recorded by Amazon being to discontinue use of Alexa altogether.

Amidst this privacy issue, Amazon is gearing up to roll out its advanced AI assistant, Alexa+. This new version is designed for increased functionality—promising to help users order groceries from multiple apps, manage smart home devices, and even access security footage simply through voice commands. Notably, Alexa+ will introduce a feature called Voice ID, aimed at personalizing the user experience by recognizing individual voices and adapting responses accordingly.

Alexa+ is set to be available to all existing Echo Show devices, but users without an Amazon Prime account will pay an additional fee of $20 per month for access. Critics speculate that while Alexa+ could significantly enhance the overall smart home experience, it also poses daunting privacy risks, especially given Amazon’s troubled history with user data management.

Amazon has faced significant scrutiny over its handling of user voice data—especially after it was revealed that employees had access to listen to customer recordings, including those of children. This led to a $25 million settlement with the Federal Trade Commission due to allegations of mishandling children’s privacy. While Amazon asserts that it has tightened its data practices in compliance with regulations, skepticism remains about the company’s commitment to user privacy.

In contrast to Apple, which has made notable claims regarding user data protection through its private cloud computing approach, Amazon has been criticized for its lack of transparency and accountability concerning user data. As voice technology continues to evolve, users must carefully consider their privacy choices—especially as Amazon ventures into increasingly complex AI applications that may require ever more personal data to function effectively.

As the world watches this development unfold, consumers should stay informed and evaluate the trade-offs between technological convenience and personal privacy. The changes coming with Alexa+ could mark a new chapter in how our devices interact with us—and we must be prepared for the implications this holds for our everyday lives.