By Ellite Times Team 
Alexa Will No Longer Provide Custom Voice Processing.
As of March 28, 2025, users of Alexa will have to send their requests over the Internet since the feature “Do Not Send Voice Recordings” will be disabled. This means that Echo devices such as the Dot (4th Gen) and the Show series no longer have the capability to process command requests locally.
As has become custom for Amazon, there has been no official announcement. However, several users have started receiving emails confirming the changes will be made, effectively disabling the feature. It has been suggested that the rationale behind the change has something to do with the new processing power generative AI capabilities require.
What This Means for Echo Users.
The change they suggest to privacy advocates does not ensure any distinction of data processing methods applied in sending data to the Cloud or Alexa’s control. In addition, it is suggested that no command recordings will be saved if “Don’t Save Recordings” is enabled.
With the feature being removed for Echos that supported command processing locally, Amazon changes do provide some option for keeping recording-enabled commands specified by user-enabled conditions.
Leading to unwanted Change and Unwanted User Activism
This shift has initiated privacy issues for users, particularly for those who chose local processing option in order to minimize data transit to Amazon’s servers. The internet tells a different story: some users feel angry and frustrated; it seems as though Amazon is changing the agreement after users have already bought their devices.
On the other hand, Amazon continues to argue that no new actions have been introduced to compromise user privacy. The company claims that the new configuration is necessary to meet requirements set by generative AI and emphasizes that voice recordings will still be erased after being processed unless users choose to retain them.
The Primary Focus: Everything Else Beyond Existence – Amazon’s AI Vision
This coincides the Update the with other Amazon efforts to develop Alexa’s skills with the launch of the new service – Alexa, which will be referred to as Alexa Plus (or Alexa+), and forever change the way we look at AI. This Mark II will also include AI-driven enhancements such as more smart home devices, enhanced voice identification, and greater recognition of who the device is speaking to. Most of these capabilities will surpass the processing power of local devices, requiring them to operated through the cloud.
And similarly to every change that Amazon implements, Alexa+ will be for Prime members and for everyone else willing to pay $19.99 per month. The difference in this version of Alexa, unlike previous versions, is that enhanced user tracking AI is expected to aid in improving its conversations powered by AI.
Past Conflicts and Current Controversies Around Privacy
Amazon has been criticized on several occasions because of their approach to using personal data from users. It has been reported that Amazon employees could once access Alexa’s voice recordings for analysis, and the company was fined $25 million in 2023 for breaching children’s privacy laws concerning the recording of children’s voices through Alexa.
The scope of issues also goes beyond voice data. There has been public outcry for the lack of security in Amazon’s Ring cameras. Employees and contractors of Amazon, according to some reports, had easy access to private video footage. Such issues add to the already existing doubt about Amazon’s attitude toward personal privacy.
What Can Be Done by Users?
For those who are not comfortable with these changes, the options are scant. Users may disable the “Recording Saving” option which assures that no long-term retention of voice data will occur. However, all voice commands will still be executed through the cloud maintained by Amazon. People who wish to have absolute dominion over their voice data will need to rethink their association with Alexa devices.
There is no doubt that the advancements fueled by AI will benefit Amazon, but these adaptations require users to consider the ease of use against the level of privacy that is compromised. If this development will dent the trust extended by users toward Alexa is still open to question, however, for privacy-oriented individuals this transformation is quite fundamental.