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Smart devices can testify against you: How home robot data is being used in court
(www.the-independent.com)
smart device... more like... narc device ᕕ( ᐛ )ᕗ
this post was submitted on 20 Sep 2026
97 points (99.0% liked)
Technology
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A smart home is in reality a vulnerable home, and a smart device a vulnerable device. Reduce their use as much as possible.
Smart home stuff can be done right.
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You need to focus on the use case. Is what it is doing actually necessary? E.g. smart lights are amazingly useful, smart washing machine? Why?!?
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The S in IoT stands for security. Smart devices need to be treated as security risks. Mine have their own WiFi to play on. They don't get to play with my important devices. Also, internet access is a privilege, not a right. ZigBee is often superior to WiFi too. Control the bridge and you have absolute control of their internet access.
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Open source for the win. A lot of IoT options can run open source firmware. This helps break open the black boxes and let you see if they are doing bad things. Home assistant, EspHome, and Tasmota are the big 3 to look into.
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If you're not the customer, you're the product. Google etc sell smart speakers at a loss. If you must have them, treat them as actively hostile. I'm still trying to find a good alternative to some of their functions, but getting there.
I would say the way that most people use smart devices, yes. But if you have the time and patience to select the correct smart devices and set them up properly, you're fine.
Of course, people are lazy, so for most folks, inviting Google Alex or Nest into their house leads to...chicanery.
PS: pick a robot vacuum cleaner that can work without sending shit to someone else's server. And make your own "Alexa"
if you have the time and patience to select the correct smart devices and set them up properly, you’re fine
Yup. If your smart devices use Thread or Zigbee (specifically not wifi—though wifi can be ok too if you use an entirely separate network for smart things) to communicate to a Home Assistant server in your home, the security and privacy risks and minimal.
You are right. And always consider the worst case scenario. When my father-in-law ended up in hospital, I had to take care of his apartment, and I couldn’t find out how to turn the lights on. It took me 15 minutes to understand his remote control 🤪
Thankfully, everything I am surrounded with has a reason to plead insanity.
Hereby, I now submit to the court, Exhibit X! My first edition copy of "How To Stop Worrying And Start Living"
Jury gasps
And it's companion piece, "How To Win Friends And Influence People", also a first edition
Jury begins vomiting on each other, furiously
May I now request that Exhibit X approach the bench?
Judge becomes visibly moist
RUNNING OBJECTION.EXE YOUR HONOR.