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posted by martyb on Wednesday February 20 2019, @06:34PM   Printer-friendly
from the How-many-TLAs-knew-about-it? dept.

Google admits error over hidden microphone

Google has acknowledged that it made an error in not disclosing that one of its home alarm products contained a microphone.

Product specifications for the Nest Guard, available since 2017, had made no mention of the listening device. But earlier this month, the firm said a software update would make Nest Guard voice-controlled. On Twitter, concerned Nest owners were told the microphone "has not been used up to this point". Business Insider was first to report the development.

The Nest Guard is one component in the Nest Secure range of home security products. The system includes various sensors that can be monitored remotely by the user. Nest Guard is an all-in-one alarm, keypad, and motion sensor but, despite being announced well over a year ago, the word "microphone" was only added to the product's specification this month. The change coincided with the announcement that it was now compatible with Google Assistant.

In response to criticism, Google said on Tuesday: "The on-device microphone was never intended to be a secret and should have been listed in the tech specs. That was an error on our part." It added: "The microphone has never been on and is only activated when users specifically enable the option."

Also at The Verge and Forbes.


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  • (Score: 5, Funny) by aristarchus on Wednesday February 20 2019, @07:19PM

    by aristarchus (2645) on Wednesday February 20 2019, @07:19PM (#804138) Journal

    Dear Customer,
    We apologize for the inadvertent inclusion of Teledildonic hardware into your internet enabled "Snuggle Guard Smart Pillow", it was only a beta level test, and we sincerely apologize for any surprise or penetration that may have occurred.

    Yours,
    IoT Megacorp,
    Plush-hard Division
    Playfield, Wisconsin
      (former Foxconn site)

    P.S. Oh, and there was a microphone we forgot to tell you about, as well, which is how we found out that you found the teledildonic. We apologize for not telling you about that, too. And then there is the video. We are sorry it went viral, evidently we were hacked, and the file was pilfered from our servers. Please consider us for all your future technology needs, as we deal in the Technology of the Future, Today.™©®

    Starting Score:    1  point
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