Smart devices with spying function: authority warns
Networked devices that are suitable for spying are banned in Germany. Although they make our lives easier, they must not jeopardize our privacy, warns the Federal Network Agency.
Toothbrush holders with cameras, kettles with microphones and video-enabled waving cats: The Federal Network Agency has called on consumers to exercise caution when buying smart Christmas gifts. Devices with a hidden camera or microphone that could make and transmit audio or video recordings unnoticed are banned in Germany, the agency emphasized on Wednesday.
"Networked devices that are suitable for spying and jeopardize our privacy are prohibited. They may make our lives easier, but they must not jeopardize our privacy," explained Klaus Müller, President of the authority. Such devices have no place in children's rooms in particular.
Be careful with these products
The Network Agency cited various examples:
- Smart glasses are banned if there are no visual warning signs or acoustic signals to sufficiently draw attention to photography or filming. The privacy of the people around them is only guaranteed if the recording situation is recognizable to third parties.
- Children's smartwatches are controlled by parents via an app. If they can be used to eavesdrop on the watch wearer's conversations and their surroundings without being noticed, the watches are prohibited.
- GPS trackers help to locate pets or a lost bunch of keys. However, if they have a microphone that can be used to listen to the ambient noise around the tracker without being noticed, they are banned in Germany.
- Robot vacuums are banned if they can secretly transmit images or audio files to the owner's smartphone via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. The decisive factor here is whether the vacuum robots give acoustic or visual signals about the recording. The Federal Network Agency is currently gaining an overview of the products available on the market.
There is no end to the variety of spying devices. Recently, the Federal Network Agency has noticed toothbrush holders with spy cameras, kettles with microphones and video-capable waving cats.
Smart products can exchange data with other devices via the internet or receive commands via an app. They are often equipped with cameras or microphones for this purpose. This can be dangerous if bystanders are unable to recognize the recording.
In Germany, smart everyday products are prohibited if
- they can record audio or video unnoticed and
- wirelessly to other devices.
With such products, consumers should ensure that the recording situation can be recognized by outsiders via sound or light signals. Also, no one should be able to secretly access the microphone or camera from outside.
If consumers are unsure, they can contact the Federal Network Agency atwenden:[email protected] or call 0228 14 15 16.
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- In light of IT security concerns, the Federal Network Agency strongly advises consumers to be cautious when buying smart devices, especially for children's use, such as smartwatches, as hidden cameras or microphones could potentially infringe on privacy during online shopping.
- An advisor at the Federal Network Agency, Klaus Müller, emphasized that smart devices with spying capabilities, such as certain types of smartwatches or GPS trackers, should be prohibited, as they pose a threat to privacy, even in the context of online trading.
- Parents using an app for controlling their children's smartwatches need to be vigilant, as unnoticed eavesdropping functions could turn these devices into serious privacy issues in line with IT security regulations.
- To protect their privacy while engaging in online shopping, consumers are urged to consult with the Federal Network Agency, which offers guidance on banning certain smart products that cannot be recognized by outsiders via sound or light signals or have unsecured microphone and camera access.
Source: www.ntv.de
