With the exception of the Tap, all Echo devices have a default setting of always "listening", that is, waiting for your "wake word." After you wake the device, Amazon does record your speech, and retains those recordings to improve AI response to future questions you might ask Alexa. If you're concerned about privacy, there are several things you can do: First, you can set the device to only "listen" once you turn it on, as the Tap normally does. Next, you can delete any stored recordings of your speech by going to the Manage My Device page in your Amazon.com account, or by contacting Amazon customer service. Note, however, that both of these may impede function of your Echo.