From what I’m hearing, Alexa listens to EVERYTHING, and uploads it to the cloud.
This is not correct. Alexa is only listening for the Wakeup Word ‘Alexa’ or ‘Amazon’. When you say Alexa she then starts listening and recording what you say.
Example: Alexa, how far is it to Houston, TX?
As soon as you pause for a couple of seconds, she stops recording and uploads your query to Google. When she receives the answer, ‘The distance to Houston TX is 345 miles.” she repeats it back to you and then shuts down, waking for the next wakeup word.
Your queries are recorded, but can be deleted using the Alexa app.
So unless you ask Alexa “What’s the best way to kill my wife.” there will be nothing incriminating on there. If you say Alexa but then don’t say anything, she shuts right back off.
If you’re really paranoid, you can shut the microphone off at the unit and then use the $30 optional remote. With it Alexa only listens to you when you press the Mic button.
So what your saying is you believe everything they tell you?