Amazon Echo models that were previously able to process Alexa requests locally will no longer do so, instead sending those voice recordings to the cloud. An Amazon spokesperson confirmed the change to The Verge after a Reddit user posted a PSA about it on Friday,

Last month Amazon introduced Alexa+ which uses generative AI to offer an enhanced version of Amazon’s voice assistant software. It will do a better job of engaging in natural-sounding conversations, remembering things you’ve told it in the past, and have the ability to interact with other apps and services on your behalf.

The move is seen as connected to the launch of its generative AI-powered Alexa Plus, which is slated to be released later this month

If you own an Echo smart speaker, it will soon lose a key privacy feature — and be replaced with cloud processing of all voice commands.

Amazon is killing a privacy feature that let Echo device owners process Alexa requests locally and avoid sending voice recordings to the company's cloud. The change will come into effect from March 28, 2025, as part of the rollout for Alexa+, a subscription-based version of its AI assistant.

Echo devices will lose the ability to process locally and all your Alexa recordings will be sent to Amazon cloud.

All voice recordings of commands or queries given to Amazon voice assistant Alexa on the company’s Echo devices will go to the Amazon cloud starting March 28.