While those of us who follow the growth of the Internet
of Things have become somewhat inured to the privacy and security
concerns associated with smart meters, networked entertainment
systems, refrigerators and autonomous cars, a recent U.S. class
action has presented something entirely new to stress about:
"smart" sex toys.
On Sept. 2, Illinois counsel for the plaintiff identified as
"N.P." brought a fascinating class action complaint and
demand for a jury trial against Standard Innovation (U.S.) Corp., a
Canadian company, for allegedly selling products that
surreptitiously collected and transmitted highly sensitive personal
information about the customers using them. Standard sells a
high-end vibrator called the We-Vibe that permits users to download
the "We-Connect" application from the Apple App store or
the Google Play store and connect their smartphone via Bluetooth to
the We-Vibe, allowing them — and their partners —remote
control over the vibrator's
