If you believe in privacy, you shouldn’t have these 9 products in your home

Smart home appliances and other wireless devices offer convenience, but often at the expense of privacy. While you don’t have to get rid of every smart device in your home, you should think carefully about which devices will stay and which won’t.

1 Smart speakers

Smart speakers such as Amazon Echo, Google Nest or Apple HomePod listen to you. They need to recognize the wake word (“Alexa”, “Hey Google”) and will continue to listen until they do. Once activated, they record commands and conversations and send them to servers for processing. This means that big tech companies have access to recordings from your home. Even if they don’t intend to use the data maliciously, accidental data leaks or breaches are always possible.

Additionally, these companies analyze what you request to improve their algorithms and create targeted ads. Even if companies assure you that the data is anonymized, it’s easy to tie it to enough information.

If you’re the type to give up any smart device to ensure your privacy, you shouldn’t keep one of these smart speakers at home. But if you must, at least mute the microphone when not in use for a while, check and delete voice recordings regularly, and avoid sensitive discussions near one.

2 Wireless security cameras

Wireless security cameras, especially popular models like Ring, Nest, and Arlo, help monitor your home for safety. Today, many smart cameras upload footage to the cloud, where intrusions could reveal your private life.

Even if the cloud remains secure, wireless security cameras can ironically present a security problem. Hackers could gain access to your Wi-Fi and potentially steal footage, allowing them to map rooms, see potential valuables, and use cameras to track your every move.

If you need security cameras, get a wired one. But if you really need wireless security cameras, keep them outside the home and choose a model with strong encryption.

3 Smart kitchen appliances

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Smart kitchen appliances can monitor usage, track food and alert you to low supplies. This information can reveal a lot about your lifestyle, from dietary preferences to family size, which companies can share with third parties for targeted marketing.

Many of these features are often mundane in nature and don’t really add much value. Aside from giving you data and alerts you don’t necessarily need, the potential privacy issues associated with connecting smart kitchen appliances to the Internet are simply not worth the risk.

Try to stick to the non-smart versions of these kitchen appliances. Not only will you increase your privacy, but you’ll also save some money.

4 Smart locks

Smart locks from August, Yale and Schlage allow you to control access to your home using your smartphone. You can grant remote access and watch recordings in real time. While smart locks are convenient, they pose security risks.

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Smart locks collect data when the door is locked and unlocked and store it in the cloud. If hacked, this data reveals patterns of when you’re at home and puts your security at risk. Worse, a cybercriminal with access could unlock your door remotely.

As with smart kitchen appliances, the convenience of smart locks is not worth the risks to your privacy and security. If you don’t need to open locks with your smartphone, get regular locks.

5 Pet tracking collars

Pet tracking collars track your pet’s location and health statistics through GPS and sensors. While they offer peace of mind for pet owners, they also collect extensive data about your pet’s movements, which often overlaps with your own.

These devices use GPS and Wi-Fi to record location, which the companies store and may share with third-party partners. Although the purpose of these collars is to track pets, this data can reveal sensitive information about your whereabouts, routines and movements. Pets don’t usually try to hide or avoid you; often a simple whistle is all it takes to get them in front of you. You should also keep your pets on a leash and supervise them responsibly when they go out in public. Unless you have a specific reason to use GPS collars on your pet, it would be better for your privacy not to have them at all.

6 Smart vacuum cleaners

Robotic vacuum cleaners like Roomba or Shark have cameras and sensors to navigate around the house. They map the layout of your home to avoid obstacles and improve cleaning efficiency. However, this mapping also means that the vacuum cleaner is collecting a detailed digital floor plan of your home and could potentially be spying on you.

Some robot vacuums store these maps in the cloud, and it’s not always clear how companies protect this data. In addition, vacuum cleaners with cameras can take pictures or video of your surroundings, which can compromise your privacy. A smart vacuum cleaner is quite useful, but the risk associated with it is quite high. So while many people wouldn’t think twice about getting one, as someone who values ​​privacy, it would still be worth considering whether the convenience of a smart vacuum cleaner is worth the risk to your privacy.

7 Wi-Fi babysitters

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Wi-Fi baby monitors allow parents to monitor and listen to their child remotely via an app. Brands like Nanit, Owlet, and Motorola offer advanced features, including night vision, two-way audio, and motion alerts. Unfortunately, these devices are notorious for security flaws.

A compromised Wi-Fi babysitter can allow strangers to watch video or even communicate with your child. Hackers could also collect sensitive data about the times and duration of recordings, giving insight into your family’s daily routine.

A better alternative is to get non-Wi-Fi monitors that use different frequencies that don’t connect to the cloud or Wi-Fi. Buying and installing a wired monitor is an even better solution.

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Apple AirTags and (similar trackers from Tile, Samsung and Chipolo) help find lost items such as keys, bags or wallets. Although these tags can be useful, AirTags can potentially be used to track individuals without consent. They allow stalkers or malicious actors to track someone’s movements without their knowledge. Apple has implemented some features to prevent abuse, but problems persist, especially when devices are not updated with security patches.

Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide if the level of convenience you get with AirTags is worth the risk. If your lifestyle allows it, it is better not to use them. But if you need to use AirTags or similar tracking devices, use them only when it counts, check for updates regularly, and disable location sharing with third-party apps.

9 Robotic pet/companion

Robotic pets like the Sony Aibo offer companionship and simulate the presence of a pet. Since these companion robots try to simulate pets with real senses, their use of cameras, microphones and other sensors is a big privacy and security concern. Robotic pets collect detailed data about your household’s activity patterns. They capture images, audio, and personal information about you that can be misused when that information falls into the wrong hands.

If you’re concerned about privacy, consider less advanced models that don’t rely heavily on cloud-based AI. If possible, turn off all recording features in the settings.

These smart devices can make life easier, but they often come with hidden privacy costs. If you’re concerned about your privacy, read the privacy policy, update your firmware regularly, and disable unnecessary features—or better yet, don’t have them at all.