Smart Home Appliances To What Extent Can These Devices Violate Your Privacy?
Smart home devices provide convenience and modernity to your home, making it easier to perform many tasks, such as: automating the timing of lights, locking doors, regulating the home temperature, etc. But as with most technological advancements, these devices come with some limitations, especially when it comes to your privacy.
Here are some privacy-related things you should know about smart home devices:
1- These devices collect your data and may use it in illegal ways:
One of the most significant issues with smart home devices that may raise privacy concerns is data collection, as these devices are primarily data-driven.
Many smart home device manufacturers collect user data and sell it to advertisers. For example, in 2017, the US Federal Trade Commission reported that smart TV maker Vizio was collecting data on what people were watching without their consent and selling it to advertisers.
This example shows how smart home devices can collect and use data in ways that may surprise you. So be aware that some smart home devices may use your data in ways that are not legitimate.
2- Smart speakers may listen to you all the time:
Smart speakers and security cameras come with built-in microphones that are always on. These microphones are designed to respond instantly when you say, “Hey Google” or “Alexa,” but that also means these devices are always listening to your conversations.
Although the manufacturers of these devices insist that only specific trigger words will activate the recordings, it's hard not to feel uneasy knowing that a device in your home could be listening to you at all times.
There is an example that confirms that these devices may violate your privacy at any time. In 2019, Bloomberg reported that some Amazon employees were listening to recordings captured by Alexa-enabled smart speakers, including conversations conducted without activating Alexa.
3- These devices integrate with third-party services:
One of the standout features of smart home devices is their ability to work together seamlessly. For example, smart lights automatically dim when you start watching a movie on your smart TV, and your thermostat adjusts the temperature of your home when you leave and when you return. However, this level of integration often means sharing data with third-party services.
Each service you connect to your smart home system may have different privacy policies, but not all of them are strict. For example, in 2018, the fitness app Strava accidentally revealed the locations of some secret US military bases because soldiers were using the app on their smartphones, according to the Guardian .
4- These devices analyze your daily habits:
Smart home devices don’t just monitor—they learn. They learn your habits, routines, and even your personal preferences, creating a detailed profile of your daily life. While this can be great and help create a personalized experience, it also raises privacy concerns. The companies that make these devices can use your information to show you ads that are relevant to your interests or sell this information to marketers.
5- These devices store your data:
Many smart home devices store your information in the cloud, and data retention policies vary from company to company and not all are clear about how long they keep your data or what happens to it after that period ends. This means that your old data may still be stored with the company and could be hacked and stolen at any time.
So it’s worth looking into the data retention policy of each device before bringing it home. If the data retention policy is unclear to you, you can take it as a warning sign to avoid that brand.
6- These devices may be hacked:
One of the major privacy risks when using smart home devices is the possibility of these devices being hacked and unauthorized access to users’ data. Although many smart home devices come with security measures, they can be hacked at any time.
CNN reported in 2019 how a hacker took control of a Ring home security camera inside a family's home and began talking to the family through the camera's speakers.
The incident highlighted the vulnerability of smart home devices to hackers who can exploit weak passwords or security vulnerabilities.
Although the manufacturers of these devices regularly update their security features, there is always a possibility that these devices can be hacked and users' privacy can be violated.