When you’re choosing new tech - especially smart home or IoT (Internet of Things) devices it’s crucial to understand how the manufacturer handles data privacy. Many people browse marketplaces and opt for cheaper, unfamiliar brands without realising the hidden trade‑offs. This is particularly risky for devices that are always connected, such as baby monitors, security cameras, smart plugs, and fitness trackers.
Here’s what you need to know to protect your home, your information, and your peace of mind.
Five things you need to know
1. Unknown brands often lack proper data privacy protections
- Established manufacturers like Google, Philips or Samsung typically provide:
- Clear and transparent data privacy policies
- Statements outlining how your data is processed
- Dedicated security teams
- Regular software and firmware updates
Cheaper or unbranded devices often offer none of these assurances. In many cases, you can’t confidently determine:
- Who owns the company
- Where your data is stored
- What information is collected
- Whether your data is sold or shared
- Whether vulnerabilities are fixed
- If they comply with GDPR or other data privacy laws
If the brand behind the device is a mystery, so is what they’re doing with your data.
2. IoT devices collect far more personal data than most people realise
Many IoT devices gather extremely sensitive information, including:
- Video footage from cameras or baby monitors
- Audio from smart speakers or voice‑activated tech
- Your daily routines
- Location data
- Wi-Fi details
- Device usage patterns
These devices often upload data to remote servers that may be outside the UK/EU where data privacy standards are weaker. If the servers are insecure or the manufacturer lacks strong privacy controls, your data could be exposed or exploited.
3. Privacy invasion: One of the biggest IoT risks
This is a refined, ready‑to‑use section that emphasises the risk clearly:
Privacy Invasion
IoT devices often store personal information such as video footage, voice recordings and behavioural data. If the device is poorly secured or the manufacturer has weak data privacy practices, hackers can gain access - potentially viewing live camera feeds or activating microphones inside your home.
This is especially concerning for baby monitors, where reported cases have involved strangers remotely accessing live video due to inadequate security measures in cheap devices.
4. Marketplaces makes data privacy harder to judge
When buying through marketplaces, you’re often purchasing from third‑party sellers. This creates several challenges:
- Many sellers rebrand generic devices
- Manufacturers may be anonymous or uncontactable
- Privacy policies may be missing, copied, or badly translated
- Long‑term support or security patches are not guaranteed
Even though the platform is trusted, the device you buy might not meet basic data privacy standards.
5. Why recognised brands are often the safer option
Choosing well‑known, reputable brands usually offers:
- Better long‑term product support
- Regular security and firmware updates
- GDPR compliance
- Transparent data privacy information
- Clear accountability
- Secure authentication systems
This doesn’t mean you must stick solely to major brands but you should always choose companies with traceable ownership and legitimate privacy documentation.
How to protect yourself when buying IoT tech
Whether you’re investing in high‑end tech or something budget‑friendly, make sure to check:
- A clear, legitimate data privacy policy
- An official website with real contact details
- GDPR compliance for UK/EU customers
- Availability of security features such as 2FA and encryption
- Recent reviews, especially those mentioning security concerns
For highly sensitive devices such as baby monitors or indoor cameras it’s safest to avoid anonymous or generic manufacturers altogether.
How we can support your data privacy goals in the workplace
We understand how critical trust and security are, both at home and across the workplace. For businesses, we embed robust data privacy and security measures into everything we do.
- Security‑first technology: All solutions are designed with security features such as encrypted storage, user authentication and secure boot processes to reduce the risk of unauthorised access.
- GDPR‑aligned data handling: Our services from managed print to cloud and it support follow GDPR‑aligned processes to ensure your data is processed, stored and managed responsibly.
- Clear & transparent privacy information: we provide straightforward, easy‑to‑understand privacy documentation so you always know how your data is being used and protected.
- Ongoing updates & long‑term protection: We deliver regular security updates, proactive monitoring and long‑term support across your workplace technology to keep systems secure throughout their lifecycle.
