New plan to protect Aussies from hacked baby monitors, sex toys

Following reports of hackers taking over smart devices, from baby monitors to sex toys, to exploit unwitting users, the Coalition say they will put this plan in place to stop such crimes if they retain government.

Australians using “smart” tech devices would be protected from hackers and bad actors through new minimum cyber security standards to be put in place by the Coalition should they retain government.

The number of smart products like fitness tracking devices, security cameras, hi-tech fridges and cars in Australian homes are expected to double by 2024 compared to 2019 numbers, with hackers already exploiting the rising number of devices connected to the internet.

In the United States there was a case of a hacker taking over a baby monitor and broadcasting threats while experts have also warned “smart sex toy” — controlled often by an app through a smartphone — are exploitable by hackers.

Baby monitors have been hacked overseas.

This has prompted Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews to announce a re-elected Coalition government would implement new minimum cyber security standards, while an “industry-led, voluntary cyber security label” would also be put on devices to provide information on security levels.

The minimum cyber security standards will be aligned with the new standards in the UK to reduce the cost and regulatory burden on industry.

“As part of our Cyber Security Strategy, we will provide Australian consumers and businesses with the tools and information they need to protect themselves from malicious cyber activity,” Minister Andrews said.

“The smart device market is growing rapidly but devices are not always secure. Overseas hackers have been able to steal personal information by remotely accessing the very devices victims bought to protect their homes.”

According to the government the minimum cyber security standards will be aligned with the new standards in the UK to reduce the cost and regulatory burden on industry while the voluntary labelling scheme will be co-developed with industry to inform consumer decisions.

The government’s policy was understood to be informed by recommendations of the Cyber Security Best Practice Regulation Taskforce.