How do you use your Echo? You might use it to play your favorite podcasts, listen to music, hear your email or calendar or have Uber come pick you up. Whichever way you use it, you have to be careful. You’re linking to the internet with a device that’s always listening for your commands. If your Echo is set up to allow phone calls, who’s to stop people from listening to your private conversations? It’s important that you maintain as much privacy with Echo as possible – here’s how.
1. Delete voice commands
That’s creepy! Here’s another way to delete them. Just think about who can see what you’re talking to Alexa about. Delete your voice command history right now. Go to your Alexa app and go to Settings. Scroll down to History and tap on it. You’ll see a shockingly long list with your voice commands. Select the one you want to delete by tapping on it then select Delete Voice Recordings.
2. Turn off the microphone
You can’t type in an internet search on Echo. That may sound like a bad thing, but it’s the game-changing innovation that makes Echo so useful. You just shout out a command like, “Alexa, how many teaspoons in a tablespoon” and Alexa tells you the answer. Of course, it’s always listening for your commands, so you’re opening yourself up to hackers by always being connected. The good news is, it’s super easy to turn off Echo’s microphone. Touch the microphone icon on top of Echo to turn it off – the device will turn red.
3. Turn off voice purchases
To set it up, go to the Alexa app on your smartphone or tablet. Tap on the menu (three horizontal lines). Select Settings » Voice Purchasing » Purchase by Voice » swipe to turn it on. Follow the same steps to turn it off, just swipe from On to Off. You can also require a code to be input before someone can make a purchase. From the step Voice Purchasing above, select Voice Code and turn it on.
4. Block incoming calls
You may not know this, but you can receive calls on your Echo. That’s fun and useful, but there’s a problem when it comes to privacy. It’s easy to let someone snoop. So, say, “Alexa, do not disturb me” and your Echo won’t accept incoming calls. The tricky part is remembering that you have Do Not Disturb turned on. To turn it off say, “Alexa, turn off Do Not Disturb.”
5. Change wake word
Most people with an Echo wake it up by saying, “Alexa.” But you can change that wake word to protect your privacy and keep other people out of your device. Have you heard of The Amnesic Incognito Live System, or Tails? It uses encryption to hide you online, so you can browse until your heart’s content without anyone, well, tailing you. Click here for a truly private way to browse the web.
