The pervasiveness of the Internet of Things has spawned a recent
fear that the devices are listening to the conversations of their
users. For instance, the My Friend Cayla doll talks to children and
answers their questions by connecting to the internet and using a
combination of voice recognition software and Google searches to
provide these responses. She has the potential to record
children's conversations and also uses an unsecured Bluetooth
device hidden inside her to connect to the internet via an
application on a nearby mobile phone.
Similarly, The "OK Google" function is another example
that has this potential. Users have been warned that once the
functionality has been switched on, personal conversations may be
recorded. Certain models of smart TVs also come with an explicit
warning to users that their living room conversations may be
recorded.
