Introduction
Have you ever been worried that someone is spying on you through your Amazon Alexa device? Well, you may be right. In mid-2019 it was discovered that Amazon, Google and Apple have been having people review user voice recordings without giving users the option to opt out of having those recordings reviewed. If you don’t like the idea of other people listening to your Alexa voice recordings, I’ll show you how to opt out. Examples of all instructions in the steps can be seen in the YouTube video below.
Steps to Opt Out of Human Review of Your Alexa Voice Recordings
- Open the Alexa app on your iPhone, iPad or Android device. You’ll arrive at your Alexa home screen.
- Tap the “Menu” icon in the upper left corner of the screen, and then tap “Settings” in the menu. The Settings screen appears.
- Tap “Alexa Privacy” toward the top of the Settings screen. The Alexa Privacy screen appears.
- Tap “Manage How Your Data Improves Alexa.” The Manage How Your Data Improves Privacy screen appears.
- Tap to turn off the toggle to the right of “Help Improve Amazon Services and Develop New Features.” A dialog box appears, warning you that if you turn this off voice recognition and new features may not work well for you. Tap “Turn Off.” All human review of your Alexa voice interactions will now be stopped. You can always return back to this screen to turn the feature back on at any time.
5 Reasons to Stop Amazon from Having a Person Review Your Alexa Voice Recordings
1. Privacy Concerns
When you let Amazon review your Alexa voice recordings, you’re opening your home to scrutiny. Each command or conversation captured by Alexa can expose intimate details. Amazon employees might hear sensitive conversations. They might learn about personal preferences or health issues. You might discuss financial information, personal conflicts, or romantic encounters. With such insights, Amazon could inadvertently breach your privacy. Despite their policies, the risk of exposure remains. Imagine the discomfort if your private moments became data points. It’s akin to having a stranger listen in on your life.
2. Data Security
Allowing Amazon to access your Alexa recordings raises significant data security issues. These recordings are stored on servers that could potentially be hacked. Cybersecurity breaches are not just hypothetical; they happen worldwide. If a hacker accesses your recordings, they could steal your personal information. They could use this to commit fraud or identity theft. Amazon has strong security measures, but no system is infallible. By limiting access to your recordings, you minimize the risk of such breaches. It’s better to be safe than sorry, especially with personal data at stake.
3. Accidental Activation
Alexa devices often activate by mistake. They might record without your explicit consent. This can happen due to misunderstood words or background noise. Such recordings could capture private conversations or even just mundane chatter. You might never know what Alexa has recorded. Amazon employees reviewing these recordings might hear things not intended for others. This isn’t just about embarrassing moments. It’s about maintaining control over your personal environment. Preventing review of these accidental captures helps ensure your home remains your sanctuary.
4. Potential Misuse of Information
Amazon uses voice recordings to improve Alexa’s responses and functionality. However, this data could potentially be misused. Imagine recordings being used to target advertisements based on your conversations. Or worse, imagine sensitive information being shared with third parties. There’s a fine line between improving user experience and exploiting personal data. By stopping Amazon from reviewing your recordings, you retain control over your personal information. This is crucial in an era where data is as valuable as currency.
5. Erosion of Trust
Trust is foundational to any relationship, including that between consumers and companies. If Amazon reviews your Alexa recordings, it might erode this trust. Knowing that someone might listen to your private interactions can be unsettling. This could make you less likely to use Alexa, or even lead to disconnecting the device altogether. If users feel they can’t trust Alexa to respect their privacy, they will seek alternatives. Amazon must prioritize user trust to maintain and grow its customer base. Stopping the review of voice recordings can help preserve this essential trust.
