11 Household Items That Could Be Spying on You

Many smart TVs are equipped with built-in cameras and microphones for features like voice control and video calling. These components can capture video and audio in your living room or bedroom. Some models also track viewing habits, collecting data on what you watch and when. Additionally, certain smart TVs have been found to analyze content playing on the screen, even from external devices, to serve targeted advertisements.

We wrote a guide on the various ways your TV is spying on you. A major privacy risk is Automatic Content Recognition (ACR).

Past Incidents Report

In 2015, Samsung faced criticism when it was revealed that their smart TV privacy policy warned users that spoken words, including personal information, could be captured and transmitted to third parties through the voice recognition feature.

In 2017, Vizio settled a lawsuit for $2.2 million after it was revealed their smart TVs were collecting and selling viewing data without proper disclosure to consumers.

Privacy Impact Rating : High

Potential for visual and audio recording in living spaces, plus tracking of viewing habits.

Usage Statistics

As of 2024, about 80% of US households owned a smart TV, while in the UK this number sits at 74%.

These devices, such as Amazon Echo or Google Home, are designed to always listen for their wake words. They constantly process audio in your home, potentially capturing fragments of conversations even when not actively being used.

Some models keep recordings of your voice commands, which are stored on company servers. Advanced versions can recognize different voices, effectively creating audio profiles of household members.

Past Incident Report

In 2019, it was reported that Amazon employees listened to audio clips recorded by Alexa devices to improve the software, sometimes overhearing private conversations.

Privacy Impact Rating : High

Always listening, potential to capture private conversations, and extensive data collection on user habits.

Usage Statistics

By 2024, the number of digital voice assistants is expected to reach 8.4 billion units worldwide, outnumbering the global population.

The cameras on laptops can be activated without your knowledge if your device is compromised. Malware can turn on the webcam silently, potentially recording video of you and your surroundings without triggering the indicator light. Some laptops have been found to have pre-installed software that can access the webcam, raising concerns about privacy even on new devices.

See also- Samsung tv keeps turning on and off by itself?

Past Incident Report

In 2010, a school district in Pennsylvania was sued for allegedly using laptop webcams to spy on students at home without their knowledge.

Privacy Impact Rating : Medium

Can capture video and audio, but typically only when activated.

Usage Statistics

A 2020 survey found that 79% of Americans were concerned about webcam hacking.

These devices don't just record when someone rings the bell. Many smart doorbells have motion sensors that trigger video recording whenever movement is detected near your door. Some models have wide-angle lenses that can capture footage of neighboring properties or public spaces. Advanced versions use facial recognition technology, creating a database of people who approach your home.

Past Incident Report

In 2019, Ring (owned by Amazon) faced scrutiny for partnering with law enforcement agencies, potentially giving police access to doorbell camera footage without user consent.

Privacy Impact Rating : High

Continuous video surveillance of home entrances and surrounding areas, often with cloud storage.

Usage Statistics

The global smart doorbell market is projected to reach $2.9 billion by 2025, growing at a CAGR of 28.7% from 2020 to 2025.

Modern baby monitors do more than just transmit audio. Many feature video cameras with night vision capabilities, constantly streaming footage of your child's room. There are some models that can detect and record a baby's movements, breathing patterns, and even heart rate. Certain smart baby monitors have two-way audio, allowing conversations near the monitor to be heard and potentially recorded. Some can be accessed remotely via smartphone apps, increasing the risk of unauthorized access to the feed.

Past Incident Report

In 2018, a family in South Carolina reported that their baby monitor was hacked, with the hacker using it to watch and speak to their child.

Privacy Impact Rating : Medium

Audio and sometimes video monitoring, but typically limited to specific rooms.

Usage Statistics

The global baby monitor market is valued at $2.1 billion in 2024, with smart baby monitors being the fastest-growing segment.

These devices do more than just control temperature. They often have motion sensors to detect occupancy in different rooms. Some models track your location through your smartphone to know when you're approaching home. They collect data on your daily routines, including when you wake up, leave for work, and go to sleep. Other versions can even detect and differentiate between multiple occupants in a home.

Past Incident Report

In 2019, Google faced criticism when it was revealed that its Nest thermostats included microphones, a feature that wasn't disclosed to users.

Privacy Impact Rating : Medium

Tracks home occupancy and routines, but doesn't typically record audio or video.

Usage Statistics

The global smart thermostat market is expected to reach USD 19.92 Billion by 2033, currently valued at USD 3.2 Billion in 2023

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These devices do more than just clean your floors. Many are equipped with cameras and sensors to navigate your home, effectively creating a detailed map of your living space. Some models can recognize and categorize objects in your home. Other releases may have built-in microphones for voice control and can transmit live video feeds to your smartphone.

They collect data on your home's layout, cleaning schedules, and can even identify areas of your house that get dirty most often, providing insights into your daily habits and routines.

See also - The 29 Biggest Tech Fails of All Time

Past Incident Report

In 2017, it was revealed that iRobot, maker of Roomba, was collecting and storing maps of users' homes, with the potential to sell this data.

Privacy Impact Rating : Medium

Maps home layout and cleaning patterns, some models have cameras.

Usage Statistics

The global robotic vacuum cleaner market is expected to reach $33.3 billion by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 26.9% from 2024 to 2031.

While primarily for illumination, some smart bulbs have built-in microphones for voice control or music syncing features. These could potentially pick up nearby conversations. Certain models track usage patterns, collecting data on when lights are turned on and off in different rooms. More robust smart lighting systems can even detect movement and occupancy in rooms, effectively mapping out your home activities throughout the day and night.

Past Incident Report

In 2023, researchers demonstrated that smart bulbs could potentially be used to steal data from home networks.

Privacy Impact Rating : Low

Primarily tracks usage patterns, but some models have more advanced features.

Usage Statistics

The global smart lighting market is expected to have a compound annual growth rate of 22.1% from 2023 to 2030, reaching USD 72.35 billion by 2030.

These appliances do more than just keep your food cold. Many smart fridges are equipped with internal cameras that capture images of your food items every time the door is opened. They track your food inventory, expiration dates, and consumption patterns. Some models have touchscreens that can access the internet, potentially logging your searches and interactions.

Some models use weight sensors in shelves and doors to monitor exactly how much of each item you're consuming and how quickly. Some can even analyze your eating habits and make food suggestions or create shopping lists. With built-in voice assistants, these fridges may also be listening for commands, potentially picking up kitchen conversations. All this data about your eating habits, food preferences, and kitchen activities is often stored in the cloud and shared with the manufacturer.

Past Incident Report

In 2015, security researchers found that a Samsung smart fridge could potentially be hacked to steal Gmail login credentials.

Privacy Impact Rating : Medium

Tracks food habits and sometimes includes cameras, but limited to kitchen area.

Usage Statistics

The global smart refrigerator market is expected to reach $7.63 billion by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 10.1% from 2024 to 2031.

These devices do more than just measure your energy consumption. Smart meters collect detailed data on your electricity usage, often in near real-time intervals as frequent as every 15 minutes. They can reveal when you're home, when you're sleeping, and even which specific appliances you're using based on energy signatures. Some models can detect the use of individual circuits in your home, potentially identifying the operation of everything from your TV to your electric toothbrush.

This granular data is transmitted wirelessly to your utility company, creating a profile of your daily habits and lifestyle patterns.

Past Incident Report

In 2018, researchers in the Netherlands found that smart meters could give away clues about which TV shows and movies people were watching based on electricity usage patterns.

Privacy Impact Rating : Medium

Detailed tracking of energy usage patterns, which can reveal daily routines.

Usage Statistics

In 2024, it's estimated that 1.2 billion smart meters are installed globally.

Modern cable boxes are far more than just TV decoders. These devices continuously track your viewing habits, recording not just what you watch, but when you watch it and for how long. Many have built-in hard drives that can store your viewing history for extended periods. Some advanced models feature voice control, meaning they have microphones that are always listening for commands, potentially capturing nearby conversations. Cable boxes often have internet connectivity, allowing them to transmit your viewing data back to the cable company in real-time.

Some can even detect who is watching based on customized user profiles, creating detailed logs of each family member's media consumption habits. Additionally, interactive features on these boxes can track your responses to ads or program suggestions, building a complete profile of your preferences and behaviors.

Privacy Impact Rating : Medium

Tracks viewing habits in detail, some models have microphones for voice control.

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