As Amazon has built Alexa and Echo devices with multiple layers of privacy, customers have transparency and control over their Alexa experience. And now, the company has introduced additional privacy controls and easier ways to learn about Alexa and privacy.
With these latest developments by Amazon, Alexa users can now choose whether or not to save their voice recordings. If one chooses not to save the voice recordings, they will be automatically deleted after Alexa processes the request. All previously saved recordings will also be deleted. However, one will still be able to review the transcripts of your Alexa requests for 30 days before they automatically start deleting.
Mind you! One can also delete the transcripts before 30 days in the Alexa app or online. In order to turn on this setting, simply click on the Alexa app > More Menu > Settings > Alexa Privacy > Manage Your Alexa Data, or by visiting Alexa Privacy Settings online.
According to an Amazon blog post, “You can still delete voice recordings one by one, by date range, by Alexa-enabled device, all at once, or choose to automatically delete your voice recordings on an ongoing three- or 18-month basis. By choosing to save your voice recordings, you have access to more personalized features, Alexa can better understand requests, and we can continue to improve the service. With these options, you can choose the control that is right for you.”
Amazon is excited about these new improvements in Alexa. In a blog post by Karthik Mitta, Director of Alexa Privacy at Amazon, “We know we’re not done. Because privacy is foundational to everything we do, we’re committed to inventing new useful experiences, while protecting your privacy and providing the controls that are most relevant to you.”
Amazon strives to make privacy controls incredibly easy to use for Alexa users that is why it has introduced privacy voice controls last year including, “Alexa, delete what I just said” and “Alexa, delete everything I said today.” As customers have used these features millions of times, it is now introducing more ways to manage your privacy experience by simply asking Alexa the following.
As per Mitta, “If you would like to delete all the previously saved voice recordings associated with your account, you can simply say, “Alexa, delete everything I’ve said.” “Alexa, how do I review my privacy settings?” When you ask, “Alexa, how do I review my privacy settings?” Alexa will send you a direct link in the Alexa app to your Alexa Privacy Settings. There, you can learn more about how different privacy features work and you can choose the privacy options Amhat are right for you.”
In case one has a question about privacy, Alexa can help as it can now answer more of the privacy questions like: “How do I manage my data?” and “How does my data improve Alexa?”
With the Amazon Alexa Privacy Hub, a user can learn more about your Alexa experience and the privacy controls they have, and can access how-to guides, like this one which provides easy-to-follow instructions on how to see, hear, and delete your Alexa voice recordings. They always look for ways to improve and add more content to the Hub so they have the most helpful privacy information in one place.
All Alexa customers will receive an email outlining available privacy settings and features before the end of the year. It will highlight important privacy information, new tools and features, and additions to the Alexa Privacy Hub. Moving forward, we will send this email proactively and periodically.
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