S.T.O.P. Report Details What Gifts Not To Buy

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View this email in your browser For Immediate Release   S.T.O.P. Report Details What Gifts Not To Buy Report details surveillance concerns of “smart home” devices, offering privacy-safe alternatives.   (New York, NY, 12/15/22) - Today, the Surveillance Technology Oversight Project (S.T.O.P.), a New York-based privacy and civil rights group, released The Trojan House, detailing what “smart home” gifts not to buy due to surveillance concerns, including smart security cameras, speakers, thermostats, vacuums, and other home goods. Released during the holiday season, the report offers a “gift guide” of privacy-safe alternatives to surveillance capitalism. SEE: Report – The Trojan House https://www.stopspying.org/the-trojan-house “No one asked Santa for a mop that spies on them,” said Surveillance Technology Oversight Project Research Director Eleni Manis. “Home surveillance comes wrapped in a bow as the latest tech innovation, but so-called smart products know so much more about us than advertised—and offer next to no legal protections against use by ICE or law enforcement. This holiday season, give your loved ones the gift of privacy by opting for one of our no-Internet alternatives: they'll protect your data and work better than their supposedly smart counterparts.”   “The Grinch may steal Christmas, but Big Tech steals your data year-round,” said Surveillance Technology Oversight Project Executive Director Albert Fox Cahn. “This year, don’t give your loved ones the gift of surveillance. So many of the products we buy to bring joy to our families can actually put them at risk. Many of these products should never have been put on the market, but at least we can still avoid being the one to buy them.” Key Findings Include: “Smart home” devices record audio and video in the home, even collecting daily schedules and health details; Sensitive data collected by smart home devices is less than a warrant or data breach away from reaching the police or hackers; Across the board, smart home devices have better performing, privacy-protecting alternatives; Laws do not protect smart home users, therefore “do not buy” is the best advice until meaningful privacy legislation is passed. In October, S.T.O.P. demanded Amazon halt the sale of Ring home surveillance doorbells after a man and his teenage son in Florida allegedly shot at a woman in her car seven times after misinterpreting a Ring alert that showed someone dropping off a package. A week later, the civil rights group condemned the NYPD’s announcement that it will join Amazon Ring’s Neighbors App. The group warned that such a public-private surveillance partnership would promote vigilantism, racial profiling, and police violence. SEE: Press Release - S.T.O.P. Demands Amazon Halt Sale Of Ring Doorbells https://www.stopspying.org/latest-news/2022/10/25/stop-demands-amazon-halt-sale-of-ring-doorbells Press Release - S.T.O.P. Condemns NYPD Plan To Join Amazon Ring’s ‘Neighbors’ https://www.stopspying.org/latest-news/2022/11/2/stop-condemns-nypd-plan-to-join-amazon-rings-neighbors  The Surveillance Technology Oversight Project is a non-profit advocacy organization and legal services provider. S.T.O.P. litigates and advocates for privacy, fighting excessive local and state-level surveillance. Our work highlights the discriminatory impact of surveillance on Muslim Americans, immigrants, and communities of color. -- END -- CONTACT: S.T.O.P. Executive Director Albert Fox Cahn Copyright © 2021 Surveillance Technology Oversight Project, All rights reserved. Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.