All librists know this adage “if it’s free, you’re the product”. A way like another to explain that online services, under the guise of free, often make us go to the checkout in another way, generally, by capturing our personal data. If there is one area where this adage does not exist, it is household appliances.
Long live the kitchen
Capital broadcast a thematic issue last Sunday on cooking. On this subject, if you want to upset a Frenchman, tell him that French cuisine is not more fabulous than any other: guaranteed success. It also works with social security. Social security and food are our sacred cows. Back to the report. First, the very design of the kitchen, then the food processors and finally, the baking tools. On the part devoted to household robots, it was impossible to escape the star of the sector: Thermomix. In summary, he does everything except the races or almost.
For once – it’s still quite rare in mainstream broadcasts – it was a question of personal data collected by the device during its use. The list is quite long and basically, techs won’t be surprised. Any device connected to the Internet can capture personal data. Now even toothbrushes are connected, not to mention the fridges that let us know when to do your shopping.
Except that for those who look carefully at the prices of these devices, there is a gag: the more connected and therefore talkative it is, the more expensive the device. The Thermomix costs more than a desktop PC, while low-cost or entry-level competitors can be up to nine times cheaper. There is the design, but also the connected part.
In summary, if you have to change or acquire a new household appliance and you value your privacy a minimum, look at the entry-level ones that are not connected to the Internet. In some areas, it’s a feat to find one, especially for televisions. A user told me on Twitter on Sunday evening that he was having a hard time finding a new television that wasn’t linked to Google or Amazon.
Industrial accident
We can always tell ourselves that we are going to acquire a device, too bad for the data. After all, what bad thing can happen? Apart from a computer attack, quite simply, that the box disappears, even with a storefront. This is what happened to one of the leaders in a very specific sector: abdominal stimulation belts.
Slendertone was a known and recognized brand in this field. The products had been extensively tested, audited, the positive comments were numerous and the products were very easy to find. The latest version had a mobile application, with a program for each profile. You can even set up a reminder.
Last spring, the company was placed in compulsory liquidation. While belts and armbands are still vaguely available in a few outlets, finding replacement patches is a challenge. There was no communication from the company: it is thanks to comments left on Amazon and research in the foreign economic press that we learn that the company is disappearing. The page indicated was not at all highlighted on the company’s website, neither in the spring nor in the summer.
And the personal data? To give you an idea, here’s what to enter into the latest belt application: age, weight, gender, health status, desired goal (training, weight loss following pregnancy, fitness, fitness), email address to receive your weekly report, not to mention smartphone-related information.
Profiles and Resale
The company that markets the Thermomix has access to a real profile of the households: it knows what these customers eat, how often, the number of people in the household and can even have an idea of the income. We can think that it will not put the key under the door and that it will not sell the personal data to discharge possible debts.
One could think the same of Camaïeu. And yet, the client file found itself temporarily auctioned, before being hurriedly withdrawn in front of the bronca. We can delude ourselves by saying “yes, but, the GDPR”. Like many other things, the GDPR can eventually be used afterwards, but if an entity has decided to do something, it will do it anyway.
To date, it is not at all clear what will happen to the data collected by Slendertone. Just based on the programs chosen by users, it is known that people can be targeted for commercial purposes. Those who have chosen the training or fitness programs are very good targets for everything related to the sports, beauty and fitness industry.
We have the Camaïeu example and we have the Slendertone example. No company is safe from bankruptcy and for consumers, this also means that if you decide to buy a connected device, you have to think long term, not only about the obsolescence of the hardware, but also , on the data collected during use or even outside. If I use this device on a daily basis, what will people learn from me? Of my daily life? Of my habits? From my diet? When we see the sling around Linky in France, especially for questions related to privacy, we know that it is a sensitive subject.
In the remake of Firestarter – which we highly recommend – Charlie’s parents impose a life without an Internet connection. Maybe that’s what we should be doing in our kitchens and bathrooms, to keep a minimum of privacy. After all, what we don’t know about you can’t harm you.