Internet of Things | Privacy International

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Explainer

An introduction to software updates (and why they matter)

Video: How Companies Exploit Your Data

Report and Analysis

Report

Close-up of a store shelf that shows electronics like a laptop, smartphone and smart watches bearing software expiry dates

We looked into the software support practices for 5 of the most popular smart devices (and the results may disappoint you)

As EU policymakers are about to adopt new laws to empower consumers and increase cyber-resilience, PI's research shows that the existing practices of device manufacturers around software and security updates fail to meet the expectations of the vast majority of consumers.

Case Study

…it limits how data can be used against us

You are considered innocent until it can be proved you are guilty according to law. If accused of a crime you have the right to a defence.

Long Read

Our Data Future

By Valentina Pavel, PI Mozilla-Ford Fellow, 2018-2019 Our digital environment is changing, fast. Nobody knows exactly what it’ll look like in five to ten years’ time, but we know that how we produce and share our data will change where we end up. We have to decide how to protect, enhance, and

Long Read

online gender based violence a privacy issue

#IWD2019 Online gender-based violence: a privacy matter?

For International Women’s Day 2019, Privacy International looks at some of the key themes around the intersection of gender rights and the right to privacy and we review the work we and our partners have done on those topics. When dealing with cases of non-consensual sharing of intimate images

Report

Connected Cars: What Happens To Our Data On Rental Cars?

When you rent a car at the airport, use a car-share for a family day trip, one of the first things you are likely to do before setting off on your journey, is to connect your phone to the car. You switch on the Bluetooth and see a list of other people’s phones that were previously connected - Mike’s

Case Study

Case Study: The Myth of Free Wi-Fi

Invisible and insecure infrastructure is facilitating data exploitation

Many technologies, including those that are critical to our day-to-day lives do not protect our privacy or security. One reason for this is that the standards which govern our modern internet infrastructure do not prioritise

News

23rd May 2025

Are AI Assistants built for us or to exploit us? and other questions for the AI industry

20th October 2022

Privacy International research shows that smart device security updates fail to meet consumers' expectations

17th April 2019

The mystery of the Amazon Echo data

3rd April 2017

Is Your Car Connected?

2nd November 2016

Why the Internet of Things Begs for a Paradigm Shift in Internet Security

1st August 2016

Protecting Innovations and Protecting Data: Can we have surveillance and innovation?

Examples of Abuse

Want to know how this translate in the real world? Here is the latest example in the news.

LA police ask Ring owners for footage of protests against police violence

Emails obtained by EFF show that the Los Angeles Police Department contacted Amazon Ring owners specifically asking for footage of protests against racist police violence that took place across the US in the summer of 2020. LAPD signed a formal partnership with Ring and its associated "Neighbors"

See more examples of abuse

Our Advocacy

Submissions to the UK and EU competition authorities on the Amazon/iRobot merger

On 2 May and 5 June 2023, PI made a submission to the UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) and the European Commission, respectively, in relation to the proposed merger between Amazon and iRobot, outlining the concerns the transaction raises for consumers and markets.