Security News > 2023 > September > If you like to play along with the illusion of privacy, smart devices are a dumb idea

While smart speakers are only supposed to listen after being invoked with a "Wake" phrase, their data collection and who they share that with may surprise.

A profound difference was also found in the amount of data requested from smart device owners depending on whether the associated app was installed on an Android or iOS phone.

Again, Google was found to be sucking up data from every smart camera or doorbell Which? looked at, while Blink and Ring devices also beamed it back to the Amazon mothership.

With reference to Echo, Blink and Ring devices, a spokesperson at Amazon claimed: "We design our products to protect our customers' privacy and security to put our customers in control of their experience." The company added it "Never" sells the personal data of its users.

In a rather more brief statement, Google said it "Fully complies with applicable privacy laws and provides transparency to our users regarding the data we collect."

Samsung too claimed privacy is only ever "Top-of-mind" when it is creating stuff, "Our customers are given the option to view, download or delete any personal data that Samsung has stored across any product or app that requires a Samsung account."

News URL

https://go.theregister.com/feed/www.theregister.com/2023/09/07/smart_devices_privacy/