Alexa makes privacy even easier

At Amazon, privacy is foundational, and core to how we design our devices and services.

We’ve built Alexa and Echo devices with multiple layers of privacy. From microphone and camera controls to the ability to view and delete voice recordings, customers have transparency and control over their Alexa experience. Today, we’re excited to introduce additional privacy controls and easier ways to learn about Alexa and privacy.

You can now choose whether or not to save your voice recordings. If you choose not to save your voice recordings, they will be automatically deleted after Alexa processes your request. All previously saved recordings will also be deleted. You will still be able to review the transcripts of your Alexa requests for 30 days before we begin automatically deleting them. If you would like to delete your transcripts before 30 days, you can always do so in the Alexa app or online. You can turn on this setting by going into the Alexa app > More > Settings > Alexa Privacy > Manage Your Alexa Data, or by visiting Alexa Privacy Setting online.

You can still delete voice recordings one by one, by date range, by Alexa-enabled device, or 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 personalised features, Alexa can better understand requests, and we can continue to improve the service so that it works well for everyone. With these options, you can choose the control that is right for you.

We strive to make privacy controls incredibly easy to use, which is why we introduced privacy voice controls last year including, “Alexa, delete what I just said” and “Alexa, delete everything I said today.” Customers have used these features a lot, and we are now introducing more ways to manage your privacy experience by simply asking Alexa:

• “Alexa, delete everything I’ve said.” Later this year, if you would like to delete all the previously saved voice recordings associated with your account, you can simply ask, “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 that are right for you.

• Have a question about privacy? Alexa can help: Alexa can now answer more of your privacy questions like “How do you protect my privacy?” “How do I know you are listening?” and “ “What happens when I speak to you?”.

Knowing how your privacy is protected and the controls you have should be easy—we work hard to make it that way. With the Alexa Privacy Hub, you can learn more about your Alexa experience and the privacy controls you have, and can access how-to guides, such as this one that provides easy-to-follow instructions on how to see, hear, and delete your Alexa voice recordings. We always look for ways to improve and add more content to the Hub so you have the most helpful privacy information in one place.

We’re excited about these new improvements, but 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.