In today’s digital age, many common household devices are capable of tracking personal data without users’ awareness. From smart TVs to fitness trackers, these technologies can collect sensitive information, raising significant privacy concerns. Understanding which devices may be spying on you is crucial for safeguarding your personal information and maintaining your privacy at home.
You might think your home provides safety and privacy, but modern technology has changed all that. Many devices now act as hidden eyes and ears, quietly gathering data or even streaming audio and video without your knowledge. Therefore, knowing which seemingly innocent devices function as spying tools can help you reclaim your privacy and security. Here are six covert spying devices that may be in your home.
Smart TVs
Smart TVs have become a staple in our daily lives. They are no longer just a means to watch programs; they have evolved into comprehensive platforms for streaming, browsing the internet, and even controlling smart home devices—all from the comfort of your couch. However, behind this shiny facade, many of these devices silently collect user data, such as every button press, search, and even every program you watch.
The primary reason for this is a feature known as Automatic Content Recognition (ACR). This feature not only tracks what you stream online but can also identify what you play through HDMI inputs, whether it’s a movie on a Blu-ray disc, a video game, or even traditional television.
Companies like Samsung, LG, and Vizio collect this data systematically to sell it to advertisers. In 2017, Vizio was fined $2.2 million after it was found to have collected viewing data from millions of homes without the owners’ knowledge or consent. Although this case caused a stir at the time, tracking practices have not completely ceased; they have merely become buried within lengthy and complex privacy policies that most users ignore when setting up their devices.
Concerns grow when a smart TV includes a built-in camera. Even if you cover the lens or adjust the settings to make the device more private, the feeling of insecurity remains, as if tracking is still happening behind the scenes.
Fitness Trackers and Smartwatches
When wearable devices first emerged, their goal was to help users lead healthier lives, and they have indeed succeeded. These devices know when you wake up and sleep, track your heart rate, and even monitor your location every time you go for a run. However, the troubling aspect of these devices is that they send this data to cloud servers managed by companies that are happy to share or sell the information.
In 2018, the Polar fitness app inadvertently revealed sensitive details about soldiers and military personnel, including their names and exact locations of military bases, solely through fitness data. It appears these devices track not just fitness but delve into deeper implications.
Voice Assistants and Smart Speakers
Devices like Amazon Echo and Google Home are always listening for wake words like “Alexa” or “Hey Google.” However, they sometimes record more than they should. Accidental activations can lead to private conversations being recorded and stored on company servers. Despite companies assuring users that they do not spy on them, experts warn that these devices can become potential spying tools if hacked or tampered with.
In 2019, over a thousand conversations were leaked from Google’s smart speakers in Belgium and the Netherlands. While most clips were short and recorded during normal use, 153 clips were of conversations that should not have been recorded at all.
In 2018, a family in Portland discovered that their Amazon Echo recorded a snippet of a private conversation and sent it to a random contact. A woman from the family stated that one of her husband’s employees called them to inform them that he received a text message containing a recording of their conversation about hardwood floors. She said, “I feel a complete violation of privacy with this device, and I will never use it again.”
To mitigate these risks, it is advisable to regularly delete voice recording histories and turn off the microphone when not in use, as simple actions like these can reduce the chances of unintended spying.
Smart Home Devices
Every smart device you bring into your home adds a new data point about you. For instance, a thermostat knows when you are home or away, smart bulbs track your sleep and wake times, and doorbell cameras record who visits you. Even security cameras designed to protect you can easily turn into surveillance tools.
In 2019, a hacker managed to breach a child monitoring camera from Fredi Taococo, speaking through the camera to a 3-year-old girl, saying, “I love you.”
It is worth noting that all data recorded by smart devices is sent directly to cloud servers owned by companies, where a precise picture of your daily life is analyzed around the clock. These companies can deduce when you typically cook, what types of purchases you prefer, and even how often you use your vacuum cleaner. While this may seem exaggerated, it actually highlights the extent of information these companies seek to collect.
Bluetooth Trackers
Bluetooth tracking devices like Apple’s AirTag or Tile appear to be innocent and lifesaving tools, as they can be used in various clever ways, such as finding lost keys or luggage. However, the story takes a completely different turn when used for other purposes.
In Florida, over 150 cases of illegal tracking using hidden tracking devices were reported in 2021, including a case where an employee hid an AirTag in his ex-girlfriend’s car to track her movements.
In California, two women, Lauren Hughes and Jane Doe, filed a lawsuit against Apple for using AirTags to track them. Hughes stated that she was stalked by her ex-boyfriend after he placed an AirTag on one of her car tires, while the second woman claimed her husband placed a similar device in their child’s backpack for tracking purposes.
Even if no one has placed a tracking device in your bag, these devices do not stop communicating. Every tiny signal sent between your device and any nearby iPhone is secretly added to Apple’s massive location database.
While the company assures that this data is anonymous and encrypted, trusting a tech giant valued at billions of dollars not to exploit this treasure trove of data for profit is a gamble that not everyone is willing to take.
Smartphones
The device that serves as the perfect spying tool is your smartphone. It knows more about you than your family and friends, and perhaps even you do. It tracks the places you visit, what you search for, what you watch, and who you talk to. Every app you install on your phone is ultimately an additional spying channel. Some apps track your location even when you are not using them, while others gather information about you through your contacts, photos, and microphone, in addition to sensors like the accelerometer to determine your speed of movement.
Do not think that adjusting some settings will free you from surveillance. Phones are designed to track you, from the operating system to the service provider to the apps—all want a share of your life. Yet every year, we line up to get the latest model, smiling as we carry with us an incredibly advanced tracking device that we paid for ourselves.
The rise of smart technology has transformed everyday life, offering convenience and connectivity. However, this advancement comes with privacy risks, as many devices collect and share user data without explicit consent. Notable incidents, such as data breaches and unauthorized tracking, have heightened awareness of these issues, prompting discussions about data protection and user rights in the digital age. As technology continues to evolve, so do the methods of data collection, making it essential for consumers to stay informed about their devices’ capabilities.
