Your devices are listening to you, here’s how to keep your data safe

While the gadgets you use in your home are helpful, they’re also quietly collecting a lot of data about you, an Australian tech expert warns.

Once upon a time, “home tech” meant a microwave with a popcorn button. Now? Your fridge can suggest dinner, your lights know when you’re feeling romantic, and your doorbell can recognise your mother-in-law before you do. As an Australian tech expert and author, I’ve seen first-hand how smart homes are changing the way we live – for better and occasionally for weirder.

Welcome to the age of the smart home – where convenience is queen, and your devices are always listening (and sometimes talking back).

The rise of the digital housekeeper

Smart homes have shifted from novelty to near necessity. Whether it’s a voice assistant that queues up your favourite podcast while you cook, a thermostat that adjusts to your body clock, or a vacuum that maps your floor plan with military precision, these devices are all about making life easier. And let’s be honest – most of us are loving the convenience. Yelling “turn off the lights” from bed, checking your front door camera from the beach … it’s the stuff of Jetsons dreams. But while these gadgets are undeniably helpful, they’re also quietly collecting data. And lots of it.

Robot vacuums are a common household addiction. Picture: iStock

What exactly are they learning?

Every time you interact with a smart device, it picks up more than just your commands.

Your smart speaker knows your music preferences, wake-up time, and whether you’re a loyal almond milk drinker. Your smart TV tracks what you watch, when, and for how long.

Even your robot vacuum? It’s got a better map of your house than you probably do.

Individually, these bits of data might seem harmless. But combined, they build a detailed profile of your routines, preferences, and even your mood.

Here in Australia, we’re on track to hit 357 million internet-connected devices by the end of 2025, with smart home adoption expected in 91 per cent of households. That’s a lot of tech -and a serious amount of personal data floating around.

Smart home devices include fridges. Picture: iStock

Who’s collecting this data – and why?

Most smart devices send data back to their parent companies – think Amazon, Google, Apple, Samsung. The official line is that it helps improve services, personalise your experience, and yes, target you with ads. But here’s the thing – more than half of smart home users don’t actually understand how their data is collected or used. That’s especially true with devices like smart thermostats, which might seem innocuous but can reveal a lot about your daily routines. As artificial intelligence gets baked into more of these systems, that knowledge becomes even more powerful – and potentially more problematic.

The privacy trade-off (and why it doesn’t have to be scary)

Let’s call it for what it is: we’re all trading a bit of privacy for convenience. And that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Think of it like using a loyalty card at the supermarket. You get discounts and rewards, but the store gets insight into your shopping habits. With smart homes, the exchange is similar – just with higher stakes. What matters is understanding the deal. If we know what we’re giving away, we’re better placed to make decisions about what we’re comfortable with. And it’s something we should be teaching our kids too: privacy is a form of currency in the digital age.

Think of it like using a loyalty card at the supermarket. You get discounts and rewards, but the store gets insight into your shopping habits. Picture: NCA Newswire/Nicki Connolly

Smart home safety checklist

• Mute when not in use – Most smart speakers have a physical mute button. Use it.

• Limit permissions – Only give apps access to what they truly need.

• Update regularly – Security patches matter.

• Use strong passwords – And don’t stick with the default ones.

• Check your settings – Most devices let you control what’s collected and shared.

Want to know what your device knows about you?

Here’s a simple way to dig deeper. Try popping this prompt into your favourite AI chatbot: “You are a privacy and cybersecurity expert. Explain what data is collected by a [insert brand/model] smart [device type], how that data is stored and used, and how I can access, limit, or delete it.”

It’s a great way to start a conversation with your tech – and take back a little control.

Tech expert Tracy Sheen. Picture: Supplied

The future of smart living

Smart homes aren’t just here to stay – they’re evolving fast. AI-powered systems are already starting to anticipate our needs before we ask. Think lighting that shifts to suit your mood or playlists that kick in when your stress levels spike.

We’re even seeing emotion-sensing tech that can detect tone of voice and respond accordingly. Imagine your home knowing you’ve had a rubbish day – so it dims the lights, queues up your comfort show, and orders Thai. Not bad, right?

But as our homes become more intuitive, the line between helpful and invasive starts to blur. The goal is to find a balance – embrace the benefits while staying informed and in control. Because your home should be your sanctuary, not a surveillance hub.

Tracy Sheen is a tech expert and author of AI & U, a guide to navigating artificial intelligence in everyday life. When she’s not testing the latest gadgets, she’s on the road somewhere living out of her caravan and exploring life as a digital nomad. Visit

thedigitalguide.com.au

Originally published as Your devices are listening to you, here’s how to keep your data safe