Amazon Alexa now blocks calls and messages to your Echo

Amazon expanded Echo's feature set bringing in a seemingly benign Alexa  calling feature. Thanks to an update that came to Alexa this week,you can now use Echo to call other Echo users from your contact list, handsfree.

It sounds very convenient.  However,the privacy of this feature was severely criticized when people realized that they do not have an option to block contacts from reaching them.

An Amazon spokesperson told GeekWire: “Starting today customers will begin to receive an updated Alexa app, which includes the functionality to block contacts. Android and iOS customers can expect to get this update over the coming days.”

Here’s how the blocking works, according to Amazon.

1. Select the Conversations icon
2. Select the Contacts icon
3. Scroll down and select Block contacts
4. Find the contact you want to block and select the “Block” button

The new update only lets you block people you have in your contact list and it only allows people who you have number to call you. Blocking callers from the app is, right now, the only reasonable way to stop unwanted calls, although Amazon does have a less reasonable way to disable the feature altogether; it requires making a phone call to Amazon customer services asking for it to be switched off.