[SomeCallMeTim]

>I have had reservations about the Echo line because of the whole "always listening" thing

I've spoken with other people about feeling this way. I think that the difference here is actually 100% psychological, and that always-listening devices like the Echo are exactly as trustworthy as the company that makes them.

I am currently standing next to at least 4 different devices with microphones and internet connections that are on or in "sleep" mode. Just because they aren't "listening" to me in a way that is obvious (e.g., they respond to a command) doesn't mean that they're not recording every sound I make. There are in fact trojans designed to do exactly that.

Either you trust the manufacturer of these devices or you don't. The fact that there's a secondary processor on the Echo that does low-power constant voice recognition for the word "Alexa" (and similarly for some phones which can be activated with "OK Google") doesn't make it suddenly more likely to be storing all of your audio, all the time.

The only salient difference is just that it makes it obvious that it was in fact listening, whereas any internet-connected device around you could be listening to you right now and simply never let on.

I'm keeping my Echo plugged in. :)

[ipsin]

Even if you trust the company, you also have to trust that they have no logs that can be subpoenaed and that they cannot be compelled or hacked to wiretap you.

[ketralnis]

Sure, but that misses the point: if your phone were doing that it would be functionally equivalent. You wouldn't be able to tell any more than you would with Alexa