Alexa, delete everything I’ve said: Amazon makes privacy on Echo easier

Amazon wants its customers to have transparency and control over all its products, particularly the Echo smart speakers, displays and the voice assistant Alexa. And putting the controls in the users' hands, Amazon has announced additional improved privacy controls for Alexa along with easier ways to learn about privacy and how Alexa controls it. 

Automatically delete your voice recordings

You can now choose whether you want tsave your voice recordings or not. If you choose not to save your voice recordings, they will be automatically deleted after Alexa processes your request. And not just this, all previously saved recordings will also be deleted. 

Users will be able to review the transcripts of Alexa requests for 30 days before the company begins automatically deleting them. And if you would like to delete your transcripts before 30 days, you can always do so in the Alexa app or online.

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You can turn on this setting by going into the Alexa app, click on More Menu, go to Settings. From there go to Alexa Privacy and to Manage Your Alexa Data. Or you can always change settings by going to Alexa Privacy Settings online.

You can still delete voice recordings one by one or by date range or by Alexa-enabled device or all at once, or even choose to automatically delete your voice recordings on an ongoing three or 18-month basis. 

Amazon points out that by choosing to save your voice recordings, you have access to more personalised features,  since Alexa can better understand requests. 

More control, just ask Alexa

Privacy controls is just a 'Hey, Alexa" away. Amazon already had - “Alexa, delete what I just said” and “Alexa, delete everything I said today”, but they have finally added more.  

If you want to delete all the previously saved voice recordings associated with your account, you can simply say, “Alexa, delete everything I’ve said.”

When you ask, “Alexa, how do I review my privacy settings?” Alexa will now send you a direct link in the Alexa app to your Alexa Privacy Settings. From there, you can learn more about how different privacy features work and you can choose the privacy options that are right for you.

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Alexa can now answer more of your privacy questions like - "How do I manage my data?" and "How does my data improve Alexa?". 

With the Alexa Privacy Hub, you can learn more about your Alexa experience and the privacy controls you have. You can also access how-to guides. 

Before the end of the year, all Alexa customers will receive an email outlining available privacy settings and features, Amazon said. The email is going to highlight important privacy information, new tools and features, and additions to the Alexa Privacy Hub. In the future, Amazon will start sending this email proactively and periodically.