Although it has recently come to light that Amazon has patented technology to listen in on its customer's conversations for the purpose of targeted advertising, Amazon insists that it does not eavesdrop on its customers.

The patent details "voice sniffing" algorithms that construct customer "like" and "dislike" profiles based on trigger words overheard in conversations and how that information can later be used in "targeted advertising and product recommendations."

Still, Amazon said it did not use customer voice recordings for the purpose of targeted advertising.

"We take privacy seriously and have built multiple layers of privacy into our Echo devices," the company said in a statement. "Like many companies, we file a number of forward-looking patent applications that explore the full possibilities of new technology."

"Patents take multiple years to receive and do not necessarily reflect current developments to products and services."