Amazon Discontinues Alexa Privacy Feature Amid AI Upgrade

Amazon has made a significant change to its Alexa-enabled devices, discontinuing a privacy feature that allowed users to opt out of sending voice recordings to the cloud. This decision, announced on March 28, 2025, will require all voice interactions to be processed in Amazon's cloud, a move the company claims is essential for the upcoming Alexa Plus AI upgrade.

The feature that has been removed, known as "do not send voice recordings," was previously available on select U.S. devices, including the Echo Dot 4th generation, Echo Show 10, and Echo Show 15. Users who had activated this setting will now automatically switch to a new option, "do not save recordings," which still permits cloud processing but deletes data after it is processed.

Amazon stated that less than 0.03 percent of its customers utilized the discontinued option. However, critics argue that the setting was not only underused but also buried within menus and not widely publicized, which raises concerns about user awareness and choice.

This change has ignited a broader debate about privacy and data control in the age of artificial intelligence. Supporters of the move argue that advanced AI features require extensive datasets and cloud processing capabilities. They note that similar trade-offs are present with other AI assistants, such as Google Assistant and Apple’s Siri, which also rely on cloud processing to enhance their functionalities.

Conversely, privacy advocates are sounding alarms over the implications of removing opt-out options. They warn that such actions could normalize reduced user control over personal data in future technology updates. This concern is particularly relevant as AI technologies continue to evolve and integrate into daily life.

The situation also highlights contrasting regulatory approaches across the globe. For instance, China's Personal Information Protection Law (PIPL) mandates explicit consent for data collection and provides local storage options for sensitive information. This regulatory framework influences domestic smart assistants like Baidu's Xiaodu and Alibaba's Tmall Genie, which operate under strict compliance with these privacy laws.

In a related context, Maharashtra National Law University (MNLU) Mumbai is set to host a National Symposium on "AI: Privacy, Security, and IPR" on April 5, 2025. This event aims to address the critical challenges posed by AI technologies, including data privacy, security threats, and the implications for intellectual property rights (IPR).

The symposium, organized by MNLU Mumbai's Centre for Information Communication Technology & Law and the Centre for Advanced Legal Studies, will feature discussions led by legal experts, including a Supreme Court Judge and senior counsels from top-tier law firms. The event will explore various themes, such as balancing innovation with privacy, addressing cybersecurity threats, and rethinking IPR frameworks to accommodate AI-generated works.

As the deadline for registration approaches on March 31, 2025, participants will engage in discussions on safeguarding data privacy in an AI-driven world. Topics will include the relevance of the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, privacy concerns in facial recognition technology, and the ethical dilemmas posed by autonomous AI systems.

Moreover, the symposium will delve into the intersection of AI and cybersecurity, examining the role of AI in combating cybercrime and enhancing national security. Experts will also discuss the ownership of AI-created innovations and the legal challenges that arise in protecting algorithms and AI models.

The event is expected to attract a diverse audience, including students, PhD scholars, and professionals, with registration fees set at Rs. 1,000 for students, Rs. 1,500 for PhD scholars, and Rs. 2,500 for professionals. Following the symposium, an online training session on research paper writing will be held on April 12, 2025, further fostering academic contributions in the field of law and technology.

As generative AI continues to permeate various aspects of life, including drafting work emails and planning vacations, questions about data ownership and trust in AI-generated responses remain pressing. Millions of users are increasingly reliant on AI chatbots such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Anthropic’s Claude, but the implications of their data usage are still largely unaddressed.

In conclusion, the recent actions by Amazon and the upcoming MNLU Mumbai symposium underscore the urgent need for dialogue and regulation surrounding AI technologies, privacy rights, and data security. As technology advances, it will be crucial to balance innovation with the protection of individual rights in an increasingly digital world.