Major Changes for Alexa Owners

Amazon’s popular Alexa Guard feature is undergoing some significant changes, much to the dismay of users on both sides of the Atlantic. While the home security feature is being completely removed from the UK, users in the US will now have to pay for the privilege.

UK Users Left Disappointed

Earlier this month, UK users received an email stating that Alexa Guard will no longer be supported in the UK starting from October 31, 2023. These changes have left Brits feeling "gutted" and confused as to why they are losing out on a feature that will continue in the US, even if it comes at a cost.

Speculations and Theories

Reddit users have been theorizing about the reasons behind this decision. Some suggest that data privacy laws in Europe might make it less cost-effective for Amazon to continue offering the feature, while others speculate that Alexa Emergency Assist may be moving to a subscription-based model.

Amazon Tight-Lipped

Despite the speculation, Amazon has remained silent on the reasoning behind these changes. Alexa owners express disappointment, hoping that the removal of the feature in the UK is just a "preview" and that a full version will be released in the future.

Monetization in the US

Meanwhile, US residents have received an email stating that Alexa Guard will now be behind a subscription-based paywall. Many users view this change as unfortunate, as they previously had access to the feature for free.

Alexa Guard: A Home's Very Own Guard Dog

Alexa Guard allowed Amazon's Echo devices to function as a home security solution. It could alert owners to broken glass, detect smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, and even integrate with security systems to enhance home protection.