Privacy Risks of Home Robots: 10 Steps to Protect Yourself

With the advancement in technology today, we see that robots have become an essential part of human existence. Robots have not only made work more accessible but have also increased productivity. Nowadays, we have robots to help us carry out simple home tasks such as cleaning or more complex tasks such as providing security.

Isn't there a privacy concern? To understand the privacy implications of bringing a robot into your house, we must first examine the robots that are already available.

Available Home Robots

#1 LOVOT

LOVOT is a robot pet that craves attention. You shouldn't expect the LOVOT to do any chores, though. It's about as functional as a dog, which may not be enticing to certain people.

It can mimic a child's behavior and beg for affection; the squishy wheeled bot looks like a cross between a bear and a penguin. When you stroke it, it'll make cooing noises, and it'll drift off to sleep if you rock it. A second LOVOT will sulk and beg to be embraced after you hug the first one when more than one is in the room.

#2 Amazon Astro

It is a voice assistant on wheels and works as home security.

Astro is Amazon’s first robot powered by Alexa, the company’s voice-activated virtual assistant. The limbless droid uses a wheeled platform to deliver messages, calls, timers, and reminders and transfer goods stored in its storage bin.

When you're not at home, you can use the Astro app to see what your home looks like in real-time and interact with the robot from afar. Astro will notify you via push notifications in case of smoke alarms or broken glass.

#3 Ugo

Ugo from Japan may be the answer when it comes to home tasks. Yes, it's capable of doing laundry, cleaning the toilet, and even emptying the trash. It can retrieve towels from the dryer and fold garments with its extendable arms.

Ugo is in the early stages of development and has not yet achieved full autonomy. The robot can move independently, but it can only carry out the tasks under the supervision of a human operator via a remote connection.

#4 Vector

Vector is both a buddy and a personal helper. It is a tank-like robot that acts like Siri or Alexa and can respond to questions, obey directions, and play games; it is available for pre-order now.

But Vector isn't just a voice-activated helper. Thanks to its expressive eyes, the droid exudes a sense of self-awareness and self-confidence. It will also get happy and greet you when he sees you and spin toward you when called. He also enjoys having his back rubbed, thanks to the inclusion of a touch panel, and will coo in response to your actions.

Are Robots Safe

Robots in the home may provide convenience and enjoyment, but these devices are frequently equipped with a wide range of cameras, sensors, and microphones. Using the parts that allow them to interact with their environment, their makers may access our personal information.

Like other software-based devices, Household robots can be infected by malicious software. Counterfeit robots, for example, might also have malicious malware pre-installed.

In the future, criminals could use these robots to perform identity theft and data theft. Keep in mind that cheaper domestic robots can lack an anti-malware system, leaving them open to infection by malicious software.

Your domestic robot is at risk of being hacked. It could give hackers access to your devices' cameras or even full command.

10 Steps to Protect Yourself From Risk of Home Robots

Keep Your Home Robot Updated

Each update comes with fixed bugs, and it also helps strengthen security and privacy. Using outdated systems may leave you vulnerable to attacks and hacking.

Change Device Name and Password

Hackers who know which gadgets are most susceptible to attack may target your home Wi-Fi network. Don't reveal the product's identity by using a device name that isn't obvious.

Disable Internet Access

Since most house robots are likely to require an internet connection to carry out their duties, this one isn’t the most realistic. If you must use the internet, the good news is that you may secure and encrypt your connection by installing a VPN on your router.

Configuring Setting of a Robot

Consumers can disable features that are not required for the actions requested by them to avoid potential vulnerabilities. For example, if video recording is not necessary for the desired operations, the owner can turn it off. As a result, it's critical to learn the ins and outs of the robot's operating system and teach your family members how to utilize it properly.

Avoid Psychological Bonds

As stated previously, people build psychological attachments with their home robots. It applies to special needs people.

A realistic sexual experience will soon be possible because of the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence technology.

Male-female stereotyping is reinforced by sex robots, which may compromise user privacy. Disclosure of hacked sex robot data could harm their users’ reputations. As a result, users of such devices must adopt strict data protection measures.

Familiarize with the Robot Sensors

Microphones, cameras, and blood pressure sensors are just some of a robot's sensors. The information gathered from a person's residence is typically classified as sensitive. Consequently, owners should learn about the sensors and how they work to protect sensitive data from exposure. If you don't need the sensors, turning them off is also a good idea.

Assess the Possibility of a Physical Harm

Robots in the home have the potential to damage their human owners. When a robot's system malfunctions or is taken over, it may fail to perform a vital function, and injure humans or their property or both. As a result, it is critical to ensure that the equipment will not harm the owners or anybody else.

Familiarize with Data Processing and Terms of Use

Consumers should read the terms of service and provide their approval to use the robot before starting to use it. Using phrases like these makes it crystal apparent what information a robot collects from its owners and how it will use it in the processing process. Data brokers and marketing businesses may be listed as recipients in the manufacturers' legal conditions of use. Customers of domestic robots should be able to interpret the notifications they receive from their devices.

Carry Out Research Before Purchasing

Before purchasing any advanced technical item, users should research the device's security aspects. A potential robot owner should also explore how sensitive home data is collected, handled, and kept. Only buy the item if the maker has taken appropriate security to protect the eventual owner. People should check whether sophisticated technologies and wireless capabilities safeguard privacy and security."

Explore How Your Robot Combines With Other Devices

The robotics experts warn against integrating two independent robots. An attack may be made more accessible by combining two robotic units. So, before integrating a new robot into your existing home network, consider the possible outcomes. Also, everyone at home should be trained to repair any robot flaws.

Conclusion

A home environment is a private place where you can store any personal data. Thus, before acquiring and integrating complex robotic equipment into the home, it is critical to analyze its privacy features to ensure safe and comfortable use.

Since robots use the internet, it is essential to use Turbo VPN on your home router to ensure that hackers cannot get access to your data.

Turbo VPN uses a high level of encryption, ensuring that it secures all the data that your Home Robot may collect so that the hackers may not reach them and use them Against you.

Lastly, Turbo VPN is an easy-to-use, friendly, and cheap VPN option trusted and used by over 300,000,000 persons.