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Are Your Smart Devices Really Spying on You?

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Manage episode 499936419 series 3593276
Content provided by The New York Times. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by The New York Times or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://podcastplayer.com/legal.

If you’ve ever suspected your smart devices are spying on you, you’re right. In this episode, Jon Chase, Wirecutter's supervising editor for smart home coverage, reveals how even everyday devices you may not consider "smart" are monitoring you. They’re collecting data to build a profile that can then be sold to the highest bidder.

The conversation covers:

  • The devices collecting your data: Any device connected to the internet can collect data. This isn’t necessarily malicious; a smart thermostat, for instance, collects data to heat your home more efficiently.
  • How your devices build a profile: Devices use your IP address, online activity, location, and even associations with other people to compile a detailed profile. This profile is often sold to the highest bidder for various reasons.
  • How your smart TV builds on this profile: Modern TVs use automatic content recognition (ACR) to screenshot your screen every few seconds, adding to your data profile. Data brokers mine this info.
  • How to protect your data: Jon shares practical, actionable steps to keep your data safe. He provides specific tips for adjusting privacy settings making more informed choices about the devices you bring home.

Products we recommend:

Additional reading:

We independently review everything we recommend. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more›

Wirecutter Social and Website

Instagram: /wirecutter

Threads: /@wirecutter

Twitter: /wirecutter

Facebook: /thewirecutter

TikTok: /wirecutter

LinkedIn: /nyt-wirecutter

Website: https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/

Newsletter: https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/newsletters/

The Wirecutter Show is executive produced by Rosie Guerin and produced by Abigail Keel.Engineering support from Maddy Masiello and Nick Pitman. Episodes are mixed by Catherine Anderson, Efim Shapiro, Rowan Niemisto, Sophia Lanman, and Sonia Herrero. Original music by Dan Powell, Marion Lozano, Elisheba Ittoop, and Diane Wong. Wirecutter’s deputy publisher and general manager is Cliff Levy. Ben Frumin is Wirecutter’s editor-in-chief. Hosted by Rosie Guerin, Caira Blackwell and Christine Cyr Clisset.

Find edited transcripts for each episode here: The Wirecutter Show Podcast

  continue reading

67 episodes

Artwork
iconShare
 
Manage episode 499936419 series 3593276
Content provided by The New York Times. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by The New York Times or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://podcastplayer.com/legal.

If you’ve ever suspected your smart devices are spying on you, you’re right. In this episode, Jon Chase, Wirecutter's supervising editor for smart home coverage, reveals how even everyday devices you may not consider "smart" are monitoring you. They’re collecting data to build a profile that can then be sold to the highest bidder.

The conversation covers:

  • The devices collecting your data: Any device connected to the internet can collect data. This isn’t necessarily malicious; a smart thermostat, for instance, collects data to heat your home more efficiently.
  • How your devices build a profile: Devices use your IP address, online activity, location, and even associations with other people to compile a detailed profile. This profile is often sold to the highest bidder for various reasons.
  • How your smart TV builds on this profile: Modern TVs use automatic content recognition (ACR) to screenshot your screen every few seconds, adding to your data profile. Data brokers mine this info.
  • How to protect your data: Jon shares practical, actionable steps to keep your data safe. He provides specific tips for adjusting privacy settings making more informed choices about the devices you bring home.

Products we recommend:

Additional reading:

We independently review everything we recommend. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more›

Wirecutter Social and Website

Instagram: /wirecutter

Threads: /@wirecutter

Twitter: /wirecutter

Facebook: /thewirecutter

TikTok: /wirecutter

LinkedIn: /nyt-wirecutter

Website: https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/

Newsletter: https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/newsletters/

The Wirecutter Show is executive produced by Rosie Guerin and produced by Abigail Keel.Engineering support from Maddy Masiello and Nick Pitman. Episodes are mixed by Catherine Anderson, Efim Shapiro, Rowan Niemisto, Sophia Lanman, and Sonia Herrero. Original music by Dan Powell, Marion Lozano, Elisheba Ittoop, and Diane Wong. Wirecutter’s deputy publisher and general manager is Cliff Levy. Ben Frumin is Wirecutter’s editor-in-chief. Hosted by Rosie Guerin, Caira Blackwell and Christine Cyr Clisset.

Find edited transcripts for each episode here: The Wirecutter Show Podcast

  continue reading

67 episodes

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