Link AKC Smart Collar
Summary
The Link AKC Smart Collar is a dog collar that allows you to track your dog on your phone with Bluetooth, GPS, or cellular service. The collar can be purchased for $59.99 and requires an additional subscription for GPS and cellular tracking.
Privacy Checklist
Is any kind of biometric data collected (health, heart, voice, etc.)?
Are you able to delete your data / the data collected about you?
Does it use cookies, telemetry, or third-party tracking scripts?
Is the privacy policy user-friendly (easy to understand)?
Does it have parental controls?
Does it use encryption to protect your data both in-transit and at-rest?
Does it get regular software and / or firmware updates?
Does it require you to create a strong password?
Is there a system in place for managing security vulnerabilities?
Does it have a privacy policy?
How Can It Snoop?
Does it have a camera or request / require access to a camera?
Does it have a microphone or request / require access to a microphone?
Does it track your location or request / require access to location data?
Account Requirements
Does it require an email address to use?
Does it require a phone number to use?
Does it require an address (home or office) to use?
Payment Options
Are you able to use a credit card as a payment option?
Are you able to use a cryptocurrency as a payment option?
Are you able to use PayPal as a payment option?
Are you able to use cash or gift cards as a payment option?
What Could Go Wrong?
Link AKC seems to share your personal data for marketing purposes, which is risky for your privacy. It is also possible that if someone hacked into the device, it could be used to track you or your pet. Be warned of these risks should you choose to purchase this product.
How Does It Share Your Data?
Link AKC can share your personal data with third parties for marketing purposes, and can share de-identified data with anyone. This means they can strip your data of personal information and pool it with other user data to be shared.
Good Things
- Intuitive app.
- LED night light in tracker.
- Stores images of tracked activity.
Bad Things
- Some privacy concerns.
- Pricey; requires paid subscription beyond initial purchase.
- May require additional base stations in larger houses.