Nest Max
Summary
The Nest Max is a home hub that comes with a microphone, camera, and touchscreen display. It can be used for video calls, monitoring your Nest doorbell, listening to music, and more. The hub can be purchased for $229.
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?
Google claims that new features that use audio and video is only sent to them when they are turned on. However, this device does have a microphone and a camera, so it's possible this could be used to spy on you even when it's supposed to be off. Be aware of this risk before purchasing this product.
How Does It Share Your Data?
Nest users are required to have a Google account, which means that Google may target you with ads based on your search history, location, websites and apps you have used, etc. However, Google claims that personal data is never sold to third parties.
Good Things
- Good sound quality.
- Good camera.
Bad Things
- Privacy concerns.
- Camera can't be covered.
- Does not integrate well with other third-party smart devices.