As home appliances become more sophisticated, concerns are growing about how these advancements might impact personal data and security. This is only becoming more prevalent, so it’s important to understand the potential risks. Here are 17 home appliances that could be spying on you and what steps you can take to protect yourself.
Smart Dryers
According to Business Insider, over 80% of households have a clothes dryer, with a number of those being smart dryers. These dryers can be activated using an app on your smartphone, and some people have a concern that laundry product companies could be spying on data from this, using it to push their sales forward.
Automatic Vacuum Cleaners
Automatic vacuum cleaners are like mini robots that work their way around the house. But these robots have to be programmed so they can clean in the pattern you set. Many people worry about how much information these vacuums gather about the layout of your family home, which could be used against them by cleaning and furnishing services.
Smart Doorbells
Some smart doorbells are capable of recording images, video, and audio of what happens at your front door. However, some people are concerned that these bells are also sharing confidential information with third parties. You should check the bell’s privacy settings before installing the device on your property.
Smart TVs
People often complain about their smart TVs collecting information, such as viewing habits, and forwarding this to third parties without the user’s consent. To ensure your smart TV isn’t spying on you, you must check the data protection information and settings on the device before you use it.
CCTV Cameras
Just like with smart doorbells, there have been concerns that home CCTV systems could be used against the owners. Some homeowners are concerned that the footage can be seen by a third party, which could potentially be used against them to plan a burglary, which is scary.
Smart Thermostats
Smart thermostats help you monitor and alter the temperature of your home, wherever you are. However, many people who use these thermostats are worried that their usage data is being shared without their consent. It’s important that you read the privacy policy before installing a smart thermostat.
Smart Locks
Smart locks are an excellent way of keeping your property and other valuables safe. However, some users still worry about their smart locks being hacked and their valuables being broken into. You must ensure the manufacturers of your smart locks use the latest technology to encrypt your codes.
Smart Safes
Many people sleep easier when they know that their valuables, such as jewelry, credit cards, and money, are being protected by a smart safe. Although these safes have plenty of security features to stop people from forcing them open, there’s still the danger that they can be hacked.
Smart Refrigerators
Smart refrigerators are easy to control from anywhere in the home and when you’re out and about. These refrigerators collect your usage data to help improve your personal experience and many people fear this data will be shared with a third party and are reluctant to use them.
Home Assistants
Home assistants that are synced with your smart devices can help you with many tasks around the home. These assistants are always on and are listening for a command to spring into action. This makes a lot of people feel uneasy as the assistant hears everything you say.
Smart Bulbs
Smart bulbs turn the lights on and off in your home by means of a simple voice command. But smart bulbs are always listening for voice prompts, and this makes many homeowners feel nervous. How much data is your smart bulb collecting, and how much does it share?
Smart Dishwashers
Smart dishwashers are easy to program, alert you when they’re finished, and prompt you when maintenance needs to be done. However, some homeowners are reluctant to switch to a smart dishwasher due to security concerns, because who knows which companies are purchasing the data?
Automatic Coffee Makers
Automatic coffee makers give you the luxury of making a cup of coffee without getting out of bed in the morning. One thing that worries the owners of these machines is how much usage data the coffee makers collect, who has access to it, and what for.
Smart Microwaves
Many of the latest smart microwaves have scan-to-cook technology that will warm your food to the ideal temperature. But as is the concern with most smart devices, homeowners worry that their usage information is being shared without their permission. You must check your privacy settings before setting up.
Smart Washing Machines
A smart washing machine can be controlled from anywhere in or outside the home and allows you to put your clothes on scheduled washes. However, some users are concerned about the security of the apps that control these devices and how easily their information could be compromised.
Smart Faucet
Lysol says that “the handles of sink faucets carry approximately 229,000 germs per square inch.” A smart faucet can be voice-activated and turned on and off whenever you need it without touching it. But people often worry about what these faucets do with the usage data they collect.
Smart Ovens
Smart ovens can be voice-activated or turned on using an app on your smartphone. It’s then easy to monitor the temperature of the oven and set timers. Smart ovens collect data to improve your user experience. Control what the device does with this data via the appliance’s settings.