Have You Connected Your Oven To The Internet?
 | Author:
Victor Sample
Vic Sample: MT43 News Treasurer |
Have You Connected Your Oven To The Internet? Victor Sample As many of you know, I receive a tech newsletter every weekday morning with a roundup of tech articles across the internet. I just read an article that said only about 50% of wifi enabled appliances are being connected to the internet.
Manufacturers see great value in collecting data on your usage of dishwashers, ovens and refrigerators (really, dishwashers that are internet-connected!). They really don’t understand why you aren’t connecting those appliances. According to LG’s US Director of the smart device division, “a consumer doesn’t see the true value that manufacturers see in terms of how that data can help them in the long run”.
A Wall Street Journal report reads “customers just don’t know all the things a [connection to the] manufacturer can do ….. things like "providing manufacturers with data and insights about how customers are using their products” and “'allowing companies to sell relevant replacement parts or subscription services”.
You too can receive spam from the manufacturers for parts and services for your appliances!
It is hard to get really upset about a manufacturer collecting data on how often you use your dishwasher and the settings you use; BUT, where do you draw the line on privacy invasion?
According to the article I read, in 2013 LG Smart TVs were found to be uploading extensive data about all the activity happening to them, including even watching videos from USB devices. At the time, LG admitted it was collecting this data, but it suggested the data was “not personal” and only used for target advertising.
Monitoring everything I watch to do target advertising is most definitely personal. When I buy an appliance, I do not expect to be spied on. We all know that Google monitors everything you search for (and do on Google Chrome), but that is the trade-off we make when we use their “free” services. When I pay money for an appliance I don’t expect to make that trade-off.
In today’s world maybe everyone has accepted that everyone (and everything) is spying on you and recording everything you do, but I do not accept that.
Most of the appliances do not require that you connect them to the internet. If you object to being spied on by your oven, dishwasher, refrigerator, etc., you do have the option of not connecting it to the internet.
However, if you buy a Smart TV you want to connect to the internet but, be aware that your manufacturer can be collecting all sorts of data on what you are doing and what you are watching. Their very vague privacy statements really aren’t very clear on what data they are collecting and what they are doing with it.
Always remember, it’s not only Big Brother watching everything you do, it’s everything watching what you do!
The information used in this article came from “Ars Technica” (https://www.arstechnica.com) written by Kevin Purdy.
