'What’s the weather?” “What’s on my calendar today?” “Call Sally.” “Replay that last song.” “Alert me if a smoke alarm goes off while I’m away.”
Smart devices respond to these types of queries day-and-night, rendering them all but indispensable to those who have grown accustomed to their convenience.
But many people wonder how these devices work and, moreover, how we can protect our privacy while using them. For example, how and under what conditions do the devices detect requests? Can they detect sounds even when we don’t ask them to do so? And do we have any control over the recordings they make of the requests we give them?
Here is a primer on the built-in privacy features for the most popular Alexa-enabled devices.
WAKING UP YOUR ALEXA DEVICE
First, it’s important to note that Alexa-enabled devices are designed to detect sounds in response to hearing the wake word, which by default is “Alexa,” or by pressing the action button.
Once detected, the device securely sends the request to Amazon’s cloud.
You’ll know when Alexa is sending information to Amazon because the light ring or light bar at the bottom of the display (for Echo Show) glows blue.
Amazon's cloud detects the wake word and interprets your request, which it then translates into an action, such as playing music, setting reminders or calling a friend.
Guard is an Alexa feature that can help protect your home. When you switch Guard to Away mode, Alexa can send you mobile notifications if an Echo device detects the sound of potential threats, such as smoke alarms, carbon monoxide alarms or breaking glass. To set up Guard, open the Alexa app, go to Settings within the ‘More’ menu, and tap Guard.
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ECHO DOT
ECHO SHOW
ALEXA APP
ECHO DOT
The Echo Dot has multiple layers of privacy protection. Leverage the built-in features and adjust the settings to meet your personal comfort level.
The indicator light turns blue when Alexa detects the wake word. Alexa is only streaming your request to Amazon when the indicator light is blue.
ECHO SHOW
From the wake word and indicator light bar, to microphone and camera controls, with the Echo Show you have transparency and control over your Alexa experience.
and it's important to review available privacy capabilities so that you can choose the right privacy options that work for you. Once you understand Alexa and Echo device privacy features, you can better enjoy all the benefits and convenience that a voice-activated digital universe can offer.
The indicator light bar turns blue when Alexa detects the wake word. Alexa is only streaming your request to Amazon when the indicator light bar is blue.
Alexa’s
Privacy
Features:
Ever Heard of GUARD Mode?
THE ALEXA APP
In addition to the features on the Echo devices themselves, you can access more privacy features through the Alexa app or online.
For example, in the app’s Alexa Privacy section you can view your voice history and choose to delete any recordings — either individually for each device, or all of them at once for a given date range. The app also gives you the option to automatically delete recordings or to delete by voice command.
BACK TO ALL DEVICES
To access these features, select the “More” menu from the bottom right corner of the app, then select “Settings” and, from the Settings menu, navigate to the Alexa Privacy screen where you can tap “Manage Your Alexa Data” to adjust controls and settings for your voice recordings.
STEP ONE
STEP TWO
STEP THREE
STEP FOUR
WAKE WORD & INDICATOR LIGHT
Mic Off: Electronically disconnect the microphone with a touch of a button. When the microphone has been disconnected, the indicator light turns red.
WAKE WORD & INDICATOR LIGHT
Amazon alexa app
Mic Off: Electronically disconnect the microphones and the camera with a touch of a button. The indicator light bar turns red on the Echo Show when the microphones and the camera have been disconnected.
Microphone & Camera Off
Most Echo Show devices include a built-in camera shutter for additional peace of mind.
Camera Shutter
A Guided Walkthrough
This article was paid for by Amazon. It was not written by and does not necessarily reflect the views of HuffPost's editorial staff.
BACK TO ALL DEVICES
BACK TO ALL DEVICES
PRIVACY FEATURES
Privacy preferences are personal
Smart speakers, voice assistants, smart home hubs...these AI-enabled gadgets deliver on essential, everyday questions in millions of American homes.
Microphone Off
Microphone & Camera Off
Wake Word & Indicator Indicator
Camera Shutter
Microphone Off
Wake Word & Indicator Light
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