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Experts Issue Warning Following Reports That Air Fryers May Be Listening To Your Conversations
Experts have issued a warning following reports that certain air fryers may be listening to users’ conversations.
Concerns are growing over the privacy implications of popular smart kitchen gadgets, particularly air fryers, after a new investigation by consumer group Which? revealed that some models may be collecting far more data than users realize.
Air fryers have become a staple in many homes thanks to their convenience and health benefits.
They use hot air rather than oil to cook food, making them a trendy alternative to traditional deep fryers.
However, while their culinary advantages are widely praised, recent findings suggest these devices may come with hidden risks.
Which? examined three air fryer models commonly sold – Aigostar, Xiaomi Mi Smart, and Cosori CAF-LI401S – and found troubling privacy concerns with all three, per Sky.
Each of these devices required permissions that could allow them to monitor conversations or track users’ precise locations.
“Our research shows how smart tech manufacturers and the firms they work with are currently able to collect data from consumers, seemingly with reckless abandon,” said Harry Rose, editor of Which? magazine.
The investigation revealed that the Xiaomi app associated with its air fryer connected to trackers from companies like Facebook, Pangle, and Tencent.
Furthermore, both the Aigostar and Xiaomi air fryers were found to send user data to servers in China, although this was mentioned in the privacy notices.
Aigostar even requested users’ gender and birthdate during setup.
Xiaomi responded by clarifying that their smart air fryer does not require voice commands and therefore does not make use of the audio recording permission.
Cosori, on the other hand, stated that its products comply with GDPR regulations. Aigostar did not comment.
In addition to privacy concerns, safety risks have also been reported. There have been multiple incidents where air fryers caught fire or posed a fire hazard.
One such case involved Rebecca Sim from the UK, who said her one-year-old Tower air fryer could have burned down her kitchen.
Firefighters have also noted a rise in mentions of air fryers in fire reports, though these are often documented only in optional text fields due to the devices not being a listed category in official databases.
In light of the growing concerns, the UK’s Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) plans to release updated guidance in spring 2025.
The guidance will clarify how manufacturers should request consent, provide privacy information, and allow users to control their data.
“Ultimately, what we’re seeing is actually consumers paying twice. Paying first for the product that they’re buying, but then second, paying with their data,” said Stephen Almond of the ICO.
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