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- Recent findings reveal that some air fryers may be collecting your personal information
- Smart TVs and smartwatches are also notably eager to gather our data
- Manufacturers claim there are valid reasons for these data requests
The most effective air fryers can truly transform your cooking experience, yet some models possess a concerning aspect that could infringe on your privacy in unsettling ways, as highlighted by a recent investigation.
The UK consumer organization Which? has published a report examining privacy issues across various devices, including air fryers, smartwatches, smart TVs, and smart speakers. The findings raise significant concerns for those wary of the increasing reach of technology companies into our lives.
While worries about the privacy implications of smart TVs have been prevalent for years, the extent to which certain air fryers seek personal information is surprising. Which? discovered that all three tested models attempted to “record audio from the user’s phone without any clear justification.”
The Aigostar and Xiaomi models were found to “transmit users’ personal data to servers located in China.” This was mentioned in their privacy notices but is likely overlooked by many consumers.
Specifically, Which? noted that the Xiaomi app associated with its air fryer connected with “trackers from Facebook, Pangle (the advertising network linked to TikTok), and Tencent,” depending on user location. Additionally, it tracked users’ precise locations.
The Aigostar model even sought its owner’s “gender and date of birth,” although this request was optional. Nevertheless, the list of potential privacy violations remains extensive and troubling—especially with regulatory bodies like the UK’s Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) set to demand greater transparency from companies regarding their data practices by 2025.
The Intrusiveness of Smart TVs
(Image credit: Getty Images)
The potential breaches of privacy associated with smart TVs have been under scrutiny for nearly a decade now; unfortunately, this issue shows no signs of improvement according to Which?’s latest report.
A standout offender identified was Samsung’s range which requested eight permissions deemed “risky,” defined as granting invasive access such as recording audio or pinpointing exact locations.
This placed Samsung just behind Huawei’s Ultimate smartwatch in terms of privacy infractions; Huawei’s device requested nine risky permissions but defended itself by stating no collected data would be used for marketing purposes and all requests had legitimate explanations.
Samsung wasn’t alone among TV manufacturers; other brands like Hisense and LG also asked users for postal codes during setup—though LG’s request wasn’t mandatory.
This concern extends beyond upfront requests for personal information; Which? found that devices like Bose Home Portable speakers are laden with trackers from entities such as Facebook and Google along with digital marketing firms like Urban Airship.
Enhancing Your Privacy Measures
(Image credit: Apple / Google / Future)
A significant issue surrounding many invasions highlighted by Which? is that they often form part of either mandatory setup processes or remain largely concealed within app interfaces through advertising trackers. However, there are several strategies you can employ to safeguard your personal information:
- You can limit what data or functionalities companion apps receive on both iOS or Android devices. For iOS users navigate through Settings > Privacy & Security then scroll down until you find specific permissions such as microphone or camera access. For Android users follow similar steps via Settings > Security & Privacy > Permission Manager.
- Your best course is also reviewing permission requests during app installations carefully opting out whenever possible if you’re uncomfortable sharing certain details.
- As noted in Which?’s report we need more granular controls over how much we share with tech companies moving forward but until then it’s crucial being aware even seemingly innocuous appliances like an air fryer might be gathering more insights into our lives than anticipated.
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