Amazon has removed the option to process voice recordings locally on Echo devices, prompting debate about user privacy and data control.
The recent removal of the 'Do Not Send Voice Recordings ' setting from Amazon Echo devices has sparked discussions regarding user privacy. This setting, previously available to some US users, allowed voice recordings to be processed locally on the device instead of being sent to Amazon . While Amazon states that this change focuses on improving privacy tools and usability for generative AI, critics argue that it compromises user control over their data.
Despite the removal of this specific option, Amazon assures users that they can still manage their recordings through other privacy settings, such as deleting them individually or in bulk or choosing to not save them after processing. However, concerns remain regarding the vast amount of data collected by smart speakers and the potential for misuse. A University of Queensland study involving 14 participants with disabilities highlighted the usefulness of voice control tools while also revealing concerns about data collection, storage, and ownership. Some participants expressed discomfort with the constant listening nature of these devices and feared their voice data being used for advertising purposes. Kathryn Gledhill-Tucker, a Nyungar technologist and digital rights activist, emphasizes that accessibility should not come at the cost of user privacy. She criticizes Amazon's approach, suggesting that their motivation for collecting data is primarily driven by monetization rather than user benefit. Furthermore, she points out the potential dangers of having recording devices in every home, especially in the context of rising authoritarianism. Associate Professor James Parker, who studies machine listening at the University of Melbourne, noted a decline in public anxiety surrounding smart speaker surveillance since the initial release of the Amazon Echo in the mid-2010s, coinciding with the Edward Snowden revelations
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