Amazon offers a way to delete Alexa recordings automatically

Users of Amazon’s Alexa digital assistant can w request that recordings of ir voice commands delete automatically. Amazon says it saves such commands to improve service. But practice has raised concerns with privacy experts who say recordings could get into wrong hands, especially as Amazon and or companies use human reviewers rar than just machines. Previously, users had to go into Alexa’s settings and delete recordings manually. Users can w ask Amazon to automatically delete recordings after three months or 18 months. But users need to specify that in settings, as recordings are kept indefinitely by default.

Request deletions through an Alexa voice command

And re’s automatic option for immediate deletion. Users would still need to do that manually. When users ask for automatic deletion, a warning will pop up saying that doing so could degrade Alexa’s ability to respond or understand users. Amazon will also let users request deletions through an Alexa voice command. use of human reviewers will continue. Tech companies have been reviewing ir practices in light of privacy concerns.

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re’s greater concern when humans are involved because of potential for rogue employees or contractors to leak private details embedded in voice commands. When Facebook starts selling a new version of its Portal video-calling gadget next month, company will resume using humans to review voice interactions with device. Users will be able to decline, or opt out. People on existing devices will get a tification pointing m to appropriate settings. New Portal users will get option when setting up.

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Human reviews involving Facebook’s Messenger app elsewhere remain suspended as Facebook re-examines privacy implications. Google is also restarting practice of reviewing voice commands to improve its digital assistant, though it’s w making it clear human transcribers might listen to recordings. company also said it will delete most recordings after a few months, and people can review ir recordings and delete m manually at any time. Apple, which suspended practice with Siri, also plans to resume it this fall, but only after getting explicit permission.

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Apple would t say how it will seek permission. As with Amazon, Microsoft didn’t suspend use of human reviewers. In response to concerns, Microsoft added langu in its frequently asked questions for Skype to say that using translation service “may include transcription of audio recordings by Microsoft employees and vendors.”