Our Devices May Collect More Data than They Need
Many smart devices in our homes are collecting more of our data than they need to, according to a new study by a UK consumer group.
A group called Which? has said that companies must put privacy before profits. That's after it did research into the ways some devices collect our data.
Which? looked at a number of different kitchen devices, smart speakers, smartwatches and smart TVs to see what information they asked to know and what data they asked for access to when installed.
The group found that some of the devices, including a Huawei smartwatch and a Samsung smart TV, asked for eight or nine "risky phone permissions."
According to Which? these permissions give the devices access to a number of different parts of a user's smartphone, including other apps.
Does this matter?
Maybe or maybe not. Which? said it's possible that some companies could be sharing data with others, like advertisers.
However, most of the companies whose devices were used in the research said they don't sell or share customer data.
Which? said companies need to be clear with customers about the data they're collecting.
The group said people should only share what they are comfortable with, and read the privacy information that companies publish.
It also said that not all of the data that a device asks for is needed for the device to work.
So why might companies want to share or sell our data?
"Data is power," privacy expert Romain Robert told Euronews last year.
Companies can use our data — including information about where we live, what we buy and what we like — to influence our decisions. For example, they can show us advertising that tries to influence what we buy, where we travel or even who we vote for.
#reading_for_today
Many smart devices in our homes are collecting more of our data than they need to, according to a new study by a UK consumer group.
A group called Which? has said that companies must put privacy before profits. That's after it did research into the ways some devices collect our data.
Which? looked at a number of different kitchen devices, smart speakers, smartwatches and smart TVs to see what information they asked to know and what data they asked for access to when installed.
The group found that some of the devices, including a Huawei smartwatch and a Samsung smart TV, asked for eight or nine "risky phone permissions."
According to Which? these permissions give the devices access to a number of different parts of a user's smartphone, including other apps.
Does this matter?
Maybe or maybe not. Which? said it's possible that some companies could be sharing data with others, like advertisers.
However, most of the companies whose devices were used in the research said they don't sell or share customer data.
Which? said companies need to be clear with customers about the data they're collecting.
The group said people should only share what they are comfortable with, and read the privacy information that companies publish.
It also said that not all of the data that a device asks for is needed for the device to work.
So why might companies want to share or sell our data?
"Data is power," privacy expert Romain Robert told Euronews last year.
Companies can use our data — including information about where we live, what we buy and what we like — to influence our decisions. For example, they can show us advertising that tries to influence what we buy, where we travel or even who we vote for.
#reading_for_today
