How to Make Alexa Unhear You: Tips for Privacy and Security
With the increasing popularity of smart assistants like Amazon's Alexa, concerns about privacy have grown. If you want to ensure that Alexa doesn't keep a record of your conversations, there are several steps you can take. This guide will walk you through how to see and delete Alexa recordings of your voice, as well as provide tips for complete privacy and security.
Erasing Alexa Recordings of Your Voice
If you no longer want Alexa to keep a recording of your voice, there are steps you can take to delete these recordings. One method involves the voice control feature that allows you to delete conversations by voice. Here’s how you can do it:
Say to Alexa:
In the Alexa app, go to Settings > Alexa Account > Alexa Privacy.
Select Review Voice History and toggle on “Delete conversations by voice.” This feature will allow you to delete your conversations from the app directly.
Alternatively, you can also say the command: “Delete my conversations from Alexa.” This will prompt Alexa to delete the recordings for you.
Managing Alexa History for Auto-Delete
Another way to manage your Alexa recordings is to set an auto-delete feature. This can be done through the following steps:
Open the Alexa app and go to Settings > Alexa Privacy > Manage Your Alexa Data.
Under Manage your voice recordings, you will find an option to use the “Automatically delete recordings” toggle. You can choose to have your recordings deleted after 3 or 18 months.
This feature ensures that your recordings are removed automatically, giving you peace of mind.
Additional Tips for Privacy and Security
While the above methods can significantly reduce the chances of Alexa keeping a record of your conversations, there are additional steps you can take for even greater security:
Unplug and Remove Batteries: Simply unplug the device from the wall and remove the batteries. This will ensure that Alexa is completely turned off and cannot be powered by any residual energy.
Gift it to a Friend: If you no longer need Alexa, consider gifting it to a friend. This can prevent it from being reused or accidentally turned on in your home.
Never Buy Similar Devices Again: To avoid future privacy concerns, it's wise to refrain from purchasing similar devices. This will eliminate the risk of similar issues arising.
It's important to note that even with these steps, there is still a possibility that some residual data could be stored on Amazon's servers or local storage devices. However, these measures significantly enhance your privacy and security.
Conclusion
Ensuring your privacy and security is crucial, especially with the increasing reliance on voice-activated devices. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can make sure that Alexa does not keep a record of your conversations and provide yourself with peace of mind.