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It is obvious that it makes sense to install a microphone in an alarm system. However, not informing users that their device is capable of listening to secure their four walls can be a source of concern and concern for privacy. That's exactly what Google's Nest Secure alarm system users are facing: a microphone nobody knew anything about.
An alarm system with a microphone that no one knows anything
Several years ago, Nest used Google, a hardware hardware specialist, and Nest Secure also offered an alarm system solution. As reported by Heise, we now know that in the hardware of the system control center, a microphone is installed and that, with the exception of Google, he had no knowledge of it. This was only noticed when Google announced features around Google Assistant, which are only possible if a microphone is present in the hardware.
if @google'S @Nest Secured devices really have secret microphones that they probably hate consumers, that they should probably forgive if they do not trust the promises made by the company that she will never spy on them. #DontBeEvil https://t.co/sZsFC31zdV via @csoonline
– Tom Zeller Jr. (@tomzellerjr) February 20, 2019
On request, Google then confirmed to Android Authority that Nest Control Center has a microphone that is not mentioned in the product description or in the technical documentation. As Google has said, the microphone is disabled since the release of Nest Secure. The company emphasizes that it has integrated the microphone to provide the expected features later through software updates. Recently announced features of Google Assistant greatly simplify voice commands.
Bad communication is to blame
The company admits to Business Insider that the communication of product information has proved less sensitive: "The microphone, built into the device, was never kept secretly secret and should have been included in the technical documentation. mistake on our part, "said a spokesman for the company. Google strives to emphasize that user privacy is always secure: "The microphone has never been activated and will only be activated if users explicitly choose this option."
Google, Alarm, Nest, Alarm, Nest Secure
CSO
2019-02-20T15: 31: 00 + 01: 00John Wool
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