Published: October 2017

Who, or what, is spying on you at home?

Consumer Action and a coalition of leading consumer groups have asked the Consumer Product Safety Commission to recall the Google Home Mini "smart speaker." The touchpad on the Google device is permanently set to "on" so that it records all conversations without a consumer's knowledge or consent.

In a letter to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, privacy advocates remind the agency of the urgency to protect consumers from potential data breaches and privacy attacks from products like Google's "smart speaker." As the Internet of Things connects physical devices – refrigerators, thermostats, home locks, and even cars – the risks to consumers are increasing dramatically. Experts in cybersecurity have warned that the attacks will occur quickly against many objects simultaneously and the results could be staggering. Manufacturers, not consumers, must bear the responsibility to ensure the products that they offer for sale are safe for use by consumers.

Lead Organization

Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC)

Other Organizations

Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC) | Campaign for a Commercial Free Childhood | Center for Digital Democracy | Common Sense Kids Action | Consumer Action | Consumer Federation of America | Consumer Watchdog | U.S. PIRG | Privacy Rights Clearinghouse | Public Citizen

More Information

To read the letter in full, click here.

For more information, please visit EPIC's website.

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