Xiaomi, Cosori, and Aigostar Smart Air Fryers Pose a Surveillance Risk

• Recent reports reveal that smart air fryers from several brands could be used by potential attackers for surveillance.
• The permissions requested by their associated apps include precise user locations and audio recording capabilities on users’ phones.
• Data transmission is disclosed in their privacy notices, and Aigostar and Xiaomi air fryers reportedly transmit personal data to servers located in China.

Recent findings from consumer group Which? indicate that air fryers have now joined the list of potential surveillance threats, raising alarms concerning smart air fryers from brands such as Xiaomi, Cosori, and Aigostar. 

The key issue lies not in overt data reporting but in the permissions requested by their associated apps. These permissions include access to precise user locations and audio recording capabilities on users’ phones.

Compounding these privacy issues, the Aigostar and Xiaomi air fryers reportedly transmit personal data to servers located in China. While this data transmission is disclosed in their privacy notices, a significant number of users tend to overlook such disclaimers.

Consumers are advised to scrutinize the permissions an app requests and determine whether they serve a legitimate user purpose or are merely intrusive.

Although often ignored, privacy policies can provide crucial insights into data handling practices.

Consider whether the smart functionality of an appliance offers tangible benefits or poses unnecessary privacy risks. Avoid installing apps or providing personal data to manufacturers unless absolutely necessary for functions such as warranty registration.

It's worth noting that appliances activated by voice commands inherently listen for activation cues. However, the crux of the issue lies in what data is collected, how it's used, and the level of security against third-party intrusions.

While smart air fryers may offer convenient cooking solutions, they also represent a new frontier in surveillance risks. Consumers are advised to remain vigilant, critically assess app permissions, and prioritize their privacy when engaging with smart technologies.

In the past, security researchers revealed hackers can hear conversations through smart robot vacuum cleaners via sound waves sent over Wi-Fi.