Air Fryers and Smart Devices Under Scrutiny for Excessive Data Collection

A study by Which? reveals that some smart appliances, including air fryers, are collecting and sharing user data with third parties, raising privacy concerns.

Research conducted by UK consumer group Which? found that air fryers from brands like Xiaomi and Aigostar request audio recording permissions and send personal data to servers in China.
Smart devices, including speakers, TVs, and smartwatches, are also implicated in excessive data collection, often going beyond what is necessary for functionality.
The Xiaomi app associated with its air fryer connects to trackers from Facebook and TikTok, despite the company claiming compliance with data protection laws.
The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) plans to release new guidelines for smart device manufacturers in spring 2025 to address these privacy issues.
Which? emphasizes the need for stricter enforcement of data protection laws, especially for companies operating internationally, to safeguard consumer privacy.