Alexa Privacy Reminder

If you have an Alexa-enabled device, do you periodically check the voice recordings the device makes? You should. 

We have an Echo, and we’ve noticed that Alexa will sometimes speak up when someone—either in person or on TV—says something that prompts Alexa to listen in for a command.

You may be surprised at what you find in your device’s recordings for your digital account.

I don’t know if it’s possible, but you wouldn’t want a privileged conversation or information to be recorded through some fluke.

I do know there have been court cases where the voice recordings from an device were subpoenaed for evidence. 

It’s easy to check the privacy settings for your Alexa-enabled devices, simply go to Manage Your Alexa Data.

On that page, you can check the settings and delete en masse if you wish: 

• Voice Recordings
• Smart Home Device History
• Detected Sounds History
• Help Improve Alexa (the items here can be turned off if you don’t wish your communications with your device used to improve performance)

• Open the Alexa app
• Tap More > Settings > Alexa Privacy > Review Voice History. This will open a menu of everything you’ve asked Alexa.
• Simply tap the down arrow next to an item, and you’ll hear the recording.

Joan Reeves aka SlingWords: The Word Slinging Adventures of Joan Reeves