What your smart devices know (and share) about you | Kashmir Hill and Surya Mattu

TL;DR

In this thought-provoking talk, Kashmir Hill explores the privacy and security implications of living in a smart home and raises concerns about data collection and surveillance by companies.

Transcript

Kashmir Hill: So for my birthday last year, my husband got me an Amazon Echo. I was kind of shocked, actually, because we both work in privacy and security. (Laughter) And this was a device that would sit in the middle of our home with a microphone on, constantly listening. We're not alone, though. According to a survey by NPR and Edison Research, ... Read More

Key Insights

• 🔐 Privacy and smart devices:
• One in six American adults now owns a smart speaker, highlighting the popularity of virtual assistants and internet-connected devices.
• Smart devices, including smart beds and TVs, gather data and have ongoing conversations that may go unnoticed by their owners.
• Companies that manufacture smart devices can track and sell users' data, raising concerns about privacy.
• Smart devices, especially the Amazon Echo, constantly communicate with their servers, even when not in use.
• The surveillance economy can mine even seemingly banal data like toothbrushing habits for companies' benefit.
• Dental insurance companies use data from smart toothbrushes to offer premium discounts.
• 💡 The challenges of a smart home:
• Owning a smart home can be inconvenient and frustrating due to the need for multiple apps, log-ins, and passwords.
• Cloud-powered features like smart coffee may not always work as seamlessly as expected.
• The number of smart devices in a home can be used to predict users' socioeconomic status and can be leveraged for targeted advertising.
• Companies may collect sensitive data, such as information about sexual habits, without users' knowledge or consent, crossing ethical boundaries.
• 🔒 The need for privacy-conscious design:
• Users need to be mindful that smart devices can infringe on their privacy and that companies should prioritize privacy in the design of such devices.
• The appearance of smart devices can be deceiving, as they may not resemble cameras but still have surveillance capabilities.

Questions & Answers

Q: How many internet-connected devices did Kashmir install in her home?

Kashmir installed 18 internet-connected devices in her home.

Q: Which device was particularly talkative in terms of contacting its servers?

The Amazon Echo was especially chatty, as it contacted its servers every three minutes, regardless of whether it was being used or not.

Q: What kind of data did Beam, a dental insurance company, collect from smart toothbrushes?

Beam has been monitoring their customers' smart toothbrushes since 2015, collecting data such as how often they brush their teeth. This data is used to offer discounts on premiums.

Q: What did the hackers discover about the sex toy called the We-Vibe?

The hackers discovered that the We-Vibe was sending a significant amount of sensitive data back to the company, including information about when it was used, how long it was used, and the vibration settings. The company was data-mining their customers' intimate activities without their knowledge or consent.

Q: What does Kashmir suggest companies should do when designing these devices?

Kashmir suggests that companies need to prioritize privacy when designing these devices. She highlights the importance of rethinking the design with privacy in mind and ensuring that users have control over their personal data. Not everyone is willing to participate in "market research" just because they purchased a device with a Wi-Fi connection.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• One in six American adults now have smart speakers, indicating a widespread adoption of virtual assistants in homes.

• The installation of internet-connected devices in smart homes allows companies to track and gather data on individuals' behavior and habits.

• The data collected by these devices can be sold to data brokers and used for market research, signaling a lack of privacy in the smart home era.