Robot Vacuums Hacked to Yell Racial Slurs Across U.S.

Security flaws in Ecovacs Deebot X2 models have allowed hackers to control devices and broadcast offensive content.

The hacking incidents occurred in multiple U.S. cities, including Minnesota, Los Angeles, and El Paso, involving Ecovacs Deebot X2 robot vacuums.
A critical security flaw allows hackers to bypass the four-digit PIN and gain control over the vacuum's functions, including its camera and speakers.
Victims reported their vacuums making strange noises and shouting racial slurs, with one instance involving a vacuum chasing a pet.
Ecovacs has acknowledged the security issue and plans to release a patch in November, although previous fixes were deemed insufficient.
Cybersecurity experts have criticized the company's lax security measures, highlighting the broader vulnerability of smart home devices.