WARNING: Household items are spying on you at home including TVs, washing machines and doorbells
A number of devices in the home could be listening
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Most homeowners will kit their homes out with smart devices, but some of these may be spying on families.
According to new research, appliances like smart speakers and doorbell cameras could be gathering more information than people realise.
Even more common household items like TVs and washing machines may track information.
The data, gathered by Which? suggested excessive data is taken by some home products and shared with tech giants such as Google, Amazon, Facebook and TikTok.
Smart speakers could listen more than homeowners realise
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It suggested Google Nest smart products will note a lot of information on those who connect their phones via Android functions.
This includes Google devices such as speakers, security cameras and heating control systems.
These devices were considered to gather a large amount of information when connected to Android phones compared to Apple iPhones.
A Which? spokesperson said: "It is not known why this additional data is collected.
"However, Google's primary business is advertising and marketing, whereas Apple currently focuses on selling hardware."
It analysed the data permission of some items and stated they may take more than people realise.
The data reported smart speakers, such as Bose smart speakers, shared data with Meta - the company that owns Facebook and Instagram.
Smart cameras and doorbells by Ezviz were shown to have the most active tracking.
Which? found it shared information with TikTok's business marketing unit and Pangle.
All smart cameras and doorbell cameras were shown to use tracking services from Google.
Blink and Ring also connected to Amazon and smart TVs from branches including LG, Sony and Samsung would track.
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Washing machines can gather information
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LG also required the most data from all washing machines when signing up. Homeowners can opt out, but this requires updating settings and many may not think to do this, or know how to.
UK laws mean companies must be transparent about the data they collect, and only pick up relevant information. However, what is branded as relevant can be considered too broad.
Which? policy director Rocio Concha said: "Firms should not collect more data than they need to provide the service that's on offer, particularly if they are going to bury this important information in lengthy terms and conditions.
"The Information Commissioner's Office should consider updating guidelines to better protect consumers from accidentally giving up huge swathes of their own data without realising."
A Google spokesperson said: "Google fully complies with applicable privacy laws and provides transparency to our users regarding the data we collect and how we use it."
An Amazon spokesperson commented: "We design our products to protect our customers' privacy and security and to put our customers in control of their experience.
"We never sell their personal data, and we never stop working to keep their information safe. We use data responsibly to deliver what our customers expect: products that they love and are always getting better."