How Much Does Your Smart Vacuum Know About You?

Smart vacuum cleaners are an excellent example of how people give up privacy for convenience. As our smart devices gather more data, they intrude into our lives, and we have less privacy. For those who care about privacy, using traditional "dumb" devices is the best way to avoid being watched. Although using it may take longer, it won't invade your privacy like smart devices.

If you want to use the technology, you can control some privacy by setting it up carefully and monitoring the data it gathers.

Did you know?

In August 2022, Amazon revealed its plan to acquire iRobot, the company behind popular robotic vacuum cleaners. This move raised significant concerns, especially amid increasing regulatory scrutiny over market competition and privacy issues. People began questioning what data Amazon could potentially collect through this acquisition and how it might be utilized. By July 2023, the European Commission had launched a formal investigation into the acquisition to assess whether the deal could give Amazon a significant edge in its Marketplace business.

Specifically, there were concerns about whether the data collected by iRobot's devices, such as home images, could be used to enhance personalized purchase recommendations and targeted ads based on detailed personal information.

For instance, robotic vacuum cleaners can track your daily habits through your cleaning schedule. Additionally, the floor maps they generate provide insight into a home's layout, size, and design, which could indicate income levels and other details about a person's living conditions. Moreover, a data breach could expose images of your home, potentially revealing your identity and location.

What Information Do Smart Vacuum Cleaners Collect?

Smart vacuums rely on mechanical sensors, optical sensors, and advanced software to operate. They use cameras, sensors, and microphones to enable smart features and can create a map of your home through a smartphone app. Although these devices are designed to adapt to your home, they collect various data, including:

- Home Layout: Many smart vacuums create and store detailed maps of your home's layout, including room dimensions and the location of furniture. While this helps them navigate more efficiently, it also means that your device has a comprehensive understanding of your living space.

- Usage Patterns: These devices track when and how often you clean your home, which can provide insights into your daily routines, such as when you're typically at home, asleep, or away.

- Wi-Fi Network Details: To offer remote access and updates, smart vacuums connect to your home Wi-Fi network. They might collect details about your network, including its name, signal strength, and security settings.

- Live Video and App Data: Some newer models even allow you to access the vacuum's camera through an app, enabling you to monitor your home remotely as the device cleans. The apps associated with these vacuums often collect personal details, location information, and data about your interactions with the app itself.

Is Any Data Shared with Third Parties?

Smart vacuums may share the data they collect with third parties. For example, if the vacuum's image recognition features malfunction, images of your home could be unintentionally shared with individuals or organizations other than you and the vacuum's manufacturer. In everyday use, some smart vacuums share data with third parties for storage or to provide additional services, such as delivering products or customer support. However, some manufacturers specify that they only share data to improve device functionality and customer support, not for advertising or marketing purposes.

How to Protect Your Data

If privacy is a concern for you, there are steps you can take whether you choose a smart or non-smart robot vacuum. One option is to select a model without an internet connection or advanced features like mapping and AI object recognition. While these vacuums won't gather or share your data, they may clean less efficiently, missing larger areas due to their random cleaning patterns.

If you opt for a smart vacuum, you can still protect your privacy by taking precautions. For instance, set up "no-go" zones or virtual walls to keep the vacuum out of sensitive areas. Be mindful during setup, paying close attention to any requests for consent to share data, and opt-out where possible. Also, remember that storing or viewing mapping information, photos, or videos via the app could mean that this data is being uploaded to an external server.

Here are some points to consider before and after purchasing a smart vacuum

Before Buying

1. Research Privacy Policies: Before purchasing, check the manufacturer's privacy policy to understand what data is collected, how it's stored, and who can access it. Choose brands that are transparent and prioritize user privacy.

2. Check Security Features: Look for vacuums with strong security measures, like data encryption and two-factor authentication for app access. Some models let you control what data is shared and allow you to disable data-collecting features like mapping. Opt for devices that offer regular software updates.

3. Consider Offline Models: If privacy is a major concern, consider vacuums that don't rely on cloud storage or internet connectivity. While they may lack some smart features, they can still clean effectively without gathering excessive data.

4. Check out reviews of vacuum cleaners to learn more about how they handle your data. For example, read Consumer Reports' reviews of the vacuum robots they tested, here.

5. Use Scamio to avoid falling for fake ads and offers. Unfortunately, fake ads on social media, such as Facebook and Instagram, are an unstoppable phenomenon. While searching for a vacuum cleaner, your feed may be flooded with persistent ads and extraordinary offers that are just scams. Identify these attempts to take your money by using Scamio, your personal scam detector assistant.

Send any texts, messages, links, QR codes, or images to Scamio, which will analyze them to determine if they are part of a scam. Scamio is free and available on Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, and your web browser. You can also help others stay safe by sharing Scamio with them in France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Romania, Australia, and the UK.

After Buying:

1. Secure Your Wi-Fi Network: Ensure your home Wi-Fi network is secure by using a strong, unique password and enabling encryption. Consider setting up a separate network for your smart devices to minimize potential security risks.

2. Review Permissions Regularly: Periodically review and update the permissions you've granted to your smart vacuum. Turn off any features you don't use or that seem invasive, such as continuous mapping or data sharing.

3. Use Bitdefender Digital Identity Protection:

Make sure to use Bitdefender Digital Identity Protection. This tool keeps an eye on your digital footprint and identity. It notifies you about any potential threats, like if the company responsible for your vacuum cleaner experiences a data breach. Knowing this lets you quickly safeguard your personal information and avoid digital identity theft.