Danger in the bedroom: government warns against hacked sex toys
London - It sounds like a bad joke at first, but it's a frightening reality: sex toys with app control could be manipulated by hackers. The British government advises caution - after all, nobody wants unwanted guests in the bedroom.
With smart technology and app control, these devices are supposed to spice up your love life, but they also open up new avenues for hackers.
Products with Bluetooth and app connectivity in particular are not necessarily safe from cyber attacks.
A study by the UK Department for Science, Innovation and Technology showed that these digital interfaces could make sex toys easy targets. Many of the devices even communicate unencrypted with the associated apps.
If they gain access, hackers can lock devices, access personal data or worse: influence the functionality. A stranger could then take control of the toy while you are using it.
The experts warn that this could lead to "considerable physical and psychological damage". They also speak of a new kind of sexual harassment.
Hackers could even cause devices to overheat
A particular danger arises when the devices can overheat. But even simple data theft can be problematic if sensitive information is stored.
"The more intimate the data, the greater the damage," said Mark Coté, Lecturer in Data and Society at King's College London and head of the study.