Are Your Smart Devices Invading Your Privacy? A Look into Air Fryers and More

Concerns Over Surveillance in Smart Devices

As modern technology continues to infiltrate our kitchens, concerns regarding privacy and excessive surveillance have emerged. Recently, consumer group Which? raised alarms about smart devices like air fryers that gather personal data and utilize invasive tracking mechanisms. This report details findings from their tests, conducted on several popular kitchen gadgets, revealing just how deeply these devices may be monitoring users.

Testing Smart Air Fryers

The investigation focused on three air fryers, which have become essential appliances in many British households. Notably, these devices connected to a smartphone app, requesting access to record audio from the user's phone. While this feature allows for convenient meal scheduling, the implications of such access raise significant concerns among privacy advocates.

Which? discovered that the app associated with Xiaomi's air fryer linked to trackers from social media giants like Facebook and a TikTok advertising network. Alarmingly, both the Xiaomi device and another model by Aigostar transmitted personal information to servers located in China, albeit with this data collection mentioned in their privacy notices.

Risks from Other Smart Devices

The tests did not stop at air fryers. Which? also examined various smartwatches and digital speakers and found that many required potentially hazardous permissions from users. These permissions included access to phone location tracking, audio recording, and stored files, reminiscent of an unnecessary invasion of personal privacy. Furthermore, the digital speakers were pre-installed with trackers for leading companies such as Facebook and Google, contributing to consumers' growing concerns regarding their data security.

Regulatory Response and Future Expectations

In light of these findings, the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) expressed concerns about the data protection measures in place for many smart devices. The ICO aims to draft new guidelines for smart product manufacturers, expected to be published in Spring 2025. These guidelines will establish clear standards for data protection compliance and help protect users of these devices.

Harry Rose, editor of Which? magazine, emphasized the necessity for stronger enforcement of privacy protections, especially for manufacturers operating internationally.

Manufacturer Responses

In response to the revelations, Xiaomi stated their commitment to user privacy and compliance with UK data protection laws, asserting that they do not sell user data to third parties. They clarified that the permission request for audio recording was not relevant to their smart air fryer, which functions without voice commands. Aigostar has yet to provide a statement regarding these findings.

Being Smart About Smart Devices

As more households adopt internet-connected devices—from camera-enabled doorbells to smart TVs—consumer vigilance is crucial. During last year’s Black Friday shopping season, the ICO advised consumers to check whether smart devices included features like a physical switch to disable voice data collection. Users are urged to scrutinize data sharing agreements and understand the real necessity of the permissions requested during device setup.

For consumers looking to navigate the growing landscape of smart technology, being informed and proactive about data privacy is more important than ever.

This report was originally published by The Guardian.

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