Smart home technologies, such as internet-connected locks, voice-controlled assistants, video doorbells, and smart lighting, are being repurposed by abusers to exert control and perpetuate domestic violence. These devices enable perpetrators to restrict movement, track location, monitor conversations, and observe daily activities, creating new avenues for harassment and stalking.
Organizations supporting victims of domestic abuse, like Refuge, report that over 70% of individuals they assist have experienced tech-related abuse within a relationship. This includes instances where abusers use smart speakers to listen in on victims or remotely access device histories to gather personal data, turning convenient gadgets into tools of surveillance and intimidation.
While some may argue that smart homes enhance safety, especially during public health crises by reducing contact, the growing evidence suggests a darker side where these advancements facilitate new forms of abuse. Law enforcement and legislative bodies are beginning to recognize this trend, with new laws aiming to address coercive control that leverages smart technologies. However, the prevalence of these devices and the ease with which their features can be misused present a significant challenge in protecting vulnerable individuals.
The widespread adoption of smart devices, which are designed for seamless integration and data collection, inadvertently creates vulnerabilities that abusers can exploit. The ability to remotely control aspects of a home or retrieve detailed logs of activity from smart assistants offers perpetrators unprecedented means to stalk, harass, and maintain power over their victims, highlighting a critical, often overlooked, consequence of advancing home automation.
