Nest Learning Thermostat
Summary
The Nest Learning Thermostat is a smart thermostat that allows you to control the temperature in your home from anywhere and sends alerts to your phone when something is wrong. It also learns your temperature preferences on a weekly basis after recording data from a week's use, which can save you time and money. The thermostat can be purchased for $249.
Breach History
Has there ever been a breach or data leak?
No known hacks or data breaches!
🎉
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?
As a Nest user, you are required to migrate to a Google account. By doing so, Google obtains information such as your search history, location, websites and apps you have used, videos and ads you have seen, and more, which allows them to target you with personalized ads. Be aware that this risk of Google listening in is present if you choose to purchase this product.
How Does It Share Your Data?
Nest is owned by Google, and therefore Nest users are now required to migrate over to Google accounts. Google will receive your personal data as a result, but they claim your personal data is never sold to third parties.
Good Things
- Large display with high resolution.
- Works with Google Assistant and Alexa.
Bad Things
- Nest is owned by Google, who can target you with ads based on your interactions.
- Not compatible with Apple HomeKit.
Final Thoughts
By using Nest products, Google obtains information such as your search history, location, websites and apps you have used, videos and ads you have seen, and more, which allows them to target you with personalized ads. Google also suffered a major data breach in 2018, which exposed the information of about 52.5 million users. Therefore, Google should not be wholeheartedly trusted to protect your personal information.