If You Want to Keep Using Your Amazon Alexa, Take These 5 Privacy-Protecting Steps
1 min read
Summary
Several recent changes to Amazon’s Alexa + platform have heightened concerns about user privacy, as the devices are constantly listening to sounds in the home environment, causing many to worry about surveillance and data security.
To mitigate these concerns, users can delete voice recordings regularly, being mindful that this will also affect the device’s personalised features.
Skills should be reviewed carefully before installation, only being endorsed from trusted developers, and any unnecessary skills should be uninstalled immediately to avoid privacy breaches.
Microphones should be muted when not in use to prevent the device from listening when not required, and the “Help Improve Alexa” function can be disabled to stop Amazon from using your data for voice recognition training.
Personalized advertising can also be limited, reducing the number of targeted ads based on Alexa interactions, although this will not stop all ads.
Users should adopt measures to protect their privacy and data on a regular basis, ensuring they feel comfortable using the devices.
