Is your air fryer really spying on you? Investigation reveals just how much information innocuous gadgets have been harvesting
They’re the must-have kitchen gadgets of the moment, but your air fryer might just be spying on you.
Now Britain’s data watchdog is planning new rules after a shock study revealed how much information seemingly harmless gadgets have collected.
Consumer magazine Which? found that several popular models were able to snoop on their owners and listen to conversations through their associated phone apps.
The £45 Xiaomi Mi Smart fryer is said to have shared data with the company behind social media site TikTok, while Aigostar’s £57 fryer could send recordings of phone calls to China.
Surveillance of smart devices is a growing concern, as many consumers simply tap into permission requests without realizing what they have allowed.
Smart TVs, speakers, security cameras and doorbells can also spy on owners.
The Information Commissioner’s Office plans to publish new rules this spring on how consumer data can be used.
ICO policy advisor Slavka Bielikova said: ‘Smart products know a lot about us: who we live with, what music we like, what medicines we take and much more.
Britain’s data watchdog plans new rules after shock study revealed how much information air fryers have collected (Stock Image)
Surveillance of smart devices is a growing problem as many consumers simply tap away permission requests without realizing what they have allowed (Stock Image)
“We would expect a smart product to use and collect only the personal data it needs to perform its functions.”
Which one? editor Harry Rose warned that the guidelines would need to be backed up by good enforcement.
He said: ‘Our research shows how smart technology manufacturers and the companies they work with are.
“They can currently collect data from consumers with seemingly reckless abandon, and often do so with little or no transparency.”