Expert warns you should never keep Amazon Echo in these rooms at home — but many people still do

Tech and AI that can do almost anything have transformed the world into something kids from the 80s and 90s remember from sci-fi movies. People can transform their homes into a voice-controlled command center with Amazon’s Alexa-enabled smart speakers now. However, experts are warning users that Alexa might be listening to them even when it isn't supposed to. While these smart speakers are designed to follow voice commands, it's best to keep them out of the bedroom.

As reported by The Mirror, mathematician and tech algorithm expert Dr. Hannah Fry warns that we’re slowly letting gadgets peep into our private lives, often without even realizing it. She said, "I think there are some spaces in your home, like the bedroom and bathroom, which should remain completely private. This technology is activated by a trigger word but it keeps recording for a short period afterwards. People accept that, but we should all spend more time thinking about what it means for us." She added, "There are people who are very senior in the tech world who will not have so much as a smartphone in their bedroom… If a company is offering you a device with an internet-connected microphone at a low price, you have to think about that very carefully."

The expert further claimed, "I have both an Alexa and a Google voice-activated device and I regularly turn them both off. People really must set their own limits." In 2019, Amazon also acknowledged that its staff listens to Alexa recordings, claiming that it was meant to enhance the Echo device's ability to understand human speech. An Amazon spokesperson said, "Echo devices are designed to record audio only after the device detects your chosen wake word (Alexa, Amazon, Echo, Ziggy, or Computer). You will always know when Alexa is sending your request to the cloud because a blue light indicator will appear on your Echo device."

However, the source also said that less than 1% of Alexa interactions are manually reviewed, and even then, only a small subset of staff members are given access and responsibility for improving the AI's performance. They also assured that no personal information is connected to the testing process. There is also an opt-out option for people who are uncomfortable with this. While improving voice-activated technology is crucial, many consumers may not completely understand how to maintain a balance between security, privacy, and convenience.

Voice-activated technology can be incredibly useful, but only if handled wisely. According to Carolyn Jenkins, the key is to start with knowledge and dive into the device’s privacy settings, understand how long the data sticks around, and get familiar with what’s being recorded. As reported by Forbes, another best way is to assume that every word is being heard and stored. People can then tweak their settings until they find a level of privacy that feels right. After all, these devices are always switched on, and that is a cause for concern.