Airfryers are now the third most-used appliance in UK kitchens and a shocking investigation has revealed that several popular brands may be keeping an eye on you
Over 50% of UK homes now own an airfryer, but it might be the latest gadget that is spying on you.
A shock investigation by consumer magazine Which? have revealed several popular models that were capable of snooping on you in your home.
Air fryers are now the third most-used appliance in UK kitchens after toasters and microwaves, according to a Good Food Nation study. The popular kitchen gadgets have apparently been harvesting information and listening in to conversations through their associated phone apps.
Which? editor Harry Rose said: “Our research shows how smart tech manufacturers and the firms they work with are. They currently able to collect data from consumers, seemingly with reckless abandon, and this is often done with little or no transparency.”
According to the investigation, the £45 Xiaomi Mi Smart fryer allegedly shared data with the company behind TikTok. The £57 Aigostar’s fryer is allegedly able to send recordings of phone calls to China.
The investigation found that the brands knew their customers’ precise location and wanted permission to record audio on the user’s phone.
The UK’s data watchdog the Information Commissioner’s Office is now planning to publish new rules in the spring on how consumers’ data can be used.
ICO policy adviser Slavka Bielikova said: “Smart products know a lot about us – who we live with, what music we like, what medication we are taking and much more.
“We would expect a smart product to only use and collect the personal data it needs to provide its functions.”
More people are becoming concerned about their smart devices spying on them.
Smart TVs, voice-activated speakers and doorbells are becoming commonplace in more homes, but consumers are just accepting permissions without realising what they are allowing.
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