Amazon Ends Local Voice Processing for Echo Devices
Amazon is making a significant change to its Alexa-enabled Echo devices by discontinuing a feature that allowed certain models to process voice commands locally instead of sending them to the cloud. According to an email sent to affected users—later shared on Reddit—the company will disable this functionality on March 28, 2025. The change means that all Alexa interactions, even those that previously remained on-device, will now be sent to Amazon’s cloud for processing before being deleted.
The decision appears to be linked to the upcoming release of Alexa Plus, a generative AI-powered upgrade expected to launch later this month. The email from Amazon explains:
“As we continue to expand Alexa’s capabilities with generative AI features that rely on the processing power of Amazon’s secure cloud, we have decided to no longer support this feature.”
Amazon Confirms the Change
Amazon confirmed the policy shift in a statement to The Verge. Company spokesperson Lauren Raemhild clarified the company’s stance on privacy and security while justifying the move to cloud-based processing.
“The Alexa experience is designed to protect our customers’ privacy and keep their data secure, and that’s not changing. We’re focusing on the privacy tools and controls that our customers use most and work well with generative AI experiences that rely on the processing power of Amazon’s secure cloud. Customers can continue to choose from a robust set of tools and controls, including the option to not save their voice recordings at all. We’ll continue learning from customer feedback and building privacy features on their behalf.”
In effect, while the option to keep voice recordings entirely off the cloud will be removed, users will still be able to delete their recordings automatically after Alexa has processed their request. If a user currently has the “Do Not Send Voice Recordings” setting enabled, their device will automatically switch to the “Don’t Save Recordings” option on March 28. This ensures that while voice requests will still be sent to the cloud for processing, the recordings will not be stored long-term.
Which Echo Devices Are Affected?
Amazon’s local voice processing feature was not widely available to begin with. In fact, it was only supported on three Echo models and only for U.S. users with devices set to English. The affected devices include:
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Echo Dot (4th Gen)
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Echo Show 10
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Echo Show 15
This limitation means that the vast majority of Alexa users have already been relying on cloud-based processing for their voice commands. However, for those who were able to use the feature, its removal could be a disappointing development—especially for users who primarily use Alexa for simple smart home commands like controlling lights, thermostats, or other appliances.
Why Is Amazon Making This Change?
While Amazon has not provided an explicit reason for phasing out local processing, the timing strongly suggests that the shift is tied to the rollout of Alexa Plus. This upcoming AI-powered upgrade is expected to introduce more sophisticated natural language processing capabilities, which likely require cloud-based computing power far beyond what current Echo devices can handle locally.
Additionally, Amazon has been investing heavily in AI-powered voice assistants to compete with offerings from Google, Apple, and OpenAI. Integrating large-scale generative AI models into Alexa likely necessitates cloud-based processing rather than relying on the limited hardware of individual Echo devices.
Another factor could be cost efficiency. Maintaining a separate local processing framework for a small subset of users may not have been worth the investment, especially if Amazon is prioritizing AI advancements that require cloud computing.
The Impact on Smart Home Users
For users who relied on local processing for privacy reasons, this decision could be frustrating. Many smart home users only use Alexa for basic tasks like turning off lights or adjusting the thermostat—functions that don’t require cloud computing or AI-powered responses.
With this change, even the simplest commands will now be routed through Amazon’s servers, which could introduce delays or interruptions if there are internet connectivity issues. While Amazon reassures users that their data remains secure, privacy-conscious customers may not be satisfied with cloud processing, even if recordings are immediately deleted.
Are There Alternative Voice Assistants Without Cloud Dependency?
For users looking for a voice assistant that doesn’t require cloud processing, alternatives do exist, though they may lack Alexa’s broad device compatibility and advanced features. One emerging option is Home Assistant’s Voice PE, an open-source, privacy-focused voice assistant designed for smart home control. Unlike Alexa, Voice PE allows users to process voice commands entirely on their local network, ensuring that data never leaves their home.
Other alternatives include Mycroft AI (an open-source voice assistant) and Snips AI (acquired by Sonos in 2019), both of which emphasize local voice processing. However, these solutions may require more technical setup and might not integrate as seamlessly with smart home ecosystems as Alexa does.
Final Thoughts
Amazon’s decision to end local voice processing on Echo devices marks a shift toward a fully cloud-dependent Alexa. While this move enables AI-driven enhancements through Alexa Plus, it also eliminates an option that some users valued for privacy and faster response times.
For most Alexa users, this change won’t make a noticeable difference, as they were already using cloud-based voice processing. However, for those who specifically chose Echo devices for their on-device privacy features, this could be a reason to explore alternative voice assistants that keep data entirely local.
With Amazon, Google, and Apple all embracing cloud-based AI, the future of voice assistants appears to be increasingly tied to internet connectivity and large-scale AI models—whether users like it or not.
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