No household can do without household appliances. In addition to the conventional variants, there have long been countless smart models that are permanently connected to the Internet and smartphones. However, some of them apparently also involve China.
These household appliances can spy
A new study from Which? shows the extent to which intelligent household appliances collect user data. The amazing thing: From the inconspicuous air fryer to the smart TV, everything is included. As the consumer protection organization shows, manufacturers are collecting more and more information, which in some cases could also be passed on to third parties, including for advertising purposes.
The analysis was carried out in four device categories and resulted in an overall rating for the data security of the tested models. What was noticeable was that, particularly when using smart devices, extensive location data and microphone access were requested that went beyond pure functionality.
Airfryer, smartwatches and televisions in check
An example is the air fryer category, in which all three devices tested required such access. Well-known brands, including Aigostar and Xiaomi, ask for information such as gender and date of birth during setup, the necessity of which for the device function remains unclear. The two Airfryers also transmit personal data to servers in China – but they point this out in the data protection declaration.
The leader in the access rights category is the Huawei Ultimate smartwatch, which requires a total of nine permissions that are classified as risky. This includes precise location data and access to all apps installed on the smartphone. Huawei emphasizes that the permissions are necessary for functional reasons and that users in certain regions can also do without trackers.
Which? also presented smart TVs. significant requirements for personal data. Both Hisense and Samsung require a zip code when setting up, although Hisense at least foregoes trackers. Samsung and LG, on the other hand, use trackers including Facebook and Google. In addition, Samsung's TV app requires eight permissions that are classified as critical, which almost corresponds to the requirements of Huawei's smartwatch.
Trackers and user accounts: A look at smart speakers
The situation is similar with speakers. For example, while the app for the Bose Home Portable Speaker requires a minimum of initial permissions, the app contains numerous trackers, including Facebook and Google. In contrast, Amazon Echo offers options to decline some data requests. However, consumers need an Amazon or Google account to use the Echo Pop or Nest Mini.
All devices tested asked for precise location data, which? due to the current lack of regulation in the area of data collection through intelligent technologies. Harry Rose, editor of Which? Magazine, explains: “Our research shows how smart technology manufacturers can currently access consumers’ data – often with little transparency.” New guidelines are needed that create clear guidelines and can also be enforced against international providers.
Sources: Which?
This article was created using machine-assisted (AI) technology and was carefully reviewed by the editorial team before publication.
By Dana Neumann
