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A surprising report has revealed that some air fryers might be eavesdropping on our conversations. The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) is preparing new data protection guidelines for manufacturers after a study by Which? found that certain air fryers collect user data.
Air fryers from three Chinese brands—Xiaomi, Tencent, and Aigostar—were found to record audio through their owners’ phones, without clearly explaining why. Additionally, Aigostar and Xiaomi were sending personal data to servers in China.
This issue isn’t limited to air fryers. Smart TVs made by Hisense and Samsung requested users’ postcodes, and Samsung’s TV app wanted access to see all the apps on a user’s phone. Similarly, the Huawei Ultimate smartwatch asked for nine “risky” permissions, including precise location data, the ability to record audio, and access to files. Huawei claimed all its requested permissions are necessary for a valid reason.
An ICO spokesperson mentioned that new guidelines will be released next year, detailing how companies should comply with data protection laws to safeguard smart product users. The guidelines will cover how to ask for consent, provide privacy information, and ensure users can exercise their rights.
They also stated: “The upcoming guidance will clarify our expectations for manufacturers, enabling them to responsibly plan and use information. We aim to support organizations in getting it right, but we will also be vigilant in monitoring compliance to protect consumers from harm.”
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