Three targeted brands
During its investigation into the collection of user data via technological products, the consumer association Which ? noticed that three major airfryer brands are using their linked application to steal user data. These are the brands Aigostar, Xiaomi and Cosori, which for example request authorization to record sound on the user’s phone, without specific reason.
Belgium, target of Chinese espionage
“Xiaomi’s airfryer-related app is connected to data from Facebook, Pangle (TikTok for Business’s ad network) and Chinese tech giant Tencent (based on user location)”specifies thus Which ?. While the Aigostar airfryer requires “know the customer’s gender and date of birth to create a user account”, and that all models tested require knowing the client’s position. Aigostar, Xiaomi and Cosori also send the collected personal data to servers in China.
If all brands mention this data collection in their conditions of use, the British consumer association nevertheless denounces their excessive nature and the opacity surrounding their subsequent exploitation.
For their part, the brands cited reacted to this investigation, with the exception of Aigostar. Cosori therefore affirmed that its products were compliant with the GDPR, ensuring that “priority to confidentiality.” In a lengthy statement, Xiaomi said it complies with all UK data protection laws, and “we do not sell personal information to third parties.”
In his investigation, Which ? was also interested in the collection of data by smart TVs. Several televisions are thus criticized for asking for the location of users. This is particularly the case for Samsung and Hisense, and even LG.
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