UK Regulator Releases Updated Privacy Guidelines for Smart Home Appliances

The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has issued new privacy guidance for manufacturers of smart home appliances, including air fryers, smart TVs, and smartwatches. This action follows an investigation by Which? in December, which found that several smart devices—particularly air fryers from Xiaomi, Tencent, and Aigostar—were collecting audio and personal data from users, sometimes without clear justification. The data collected included audio recordings and, in the case of Aigostar and Xiaomi air fryers, personal information sent to servers in China. While these practices were disclosed in privacy notices, concerns have been raised about the appropriateness and necessity of such data collection. The ICO’s guidance emphasizes the importance of a ‘data protection by design and default’ approach, urging manufacturers to consider privacy throughout the product lifecycle. Developers are encouraged to ask whether personal information is truly necessary for product functionality. The guidance also highlights that sensitive data, such as a user’s BMI or fertility status collected by smartwatches and fitness trackers, should be treated with extra caution. Huawei’s Ultimate smartwatch, for instance, requested a high number of ‘risky’ permissions, including access to location and stored files. The ICO aims to help organizations comply with privacy standards from the outset but is prepared to take action if necessary to protect consumers. With four out of five people in the UK owning at least one smart appliance, the new rules are designed to safeguard users from disproportionate surveillance and ensure trust in smart home technology.