this post was submitted on 06 Dec 2025
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I had several IOT smart plugs that have GPS built in.
why? why would it need to know its exact geographic location?!
after that I created an entire hardware segmented network that's specifically used for IOT and cameras.
last I checked the router/firewall it's on has blocked over 11million requests a month trying to access the outside.
I will never have a "smart" device in my home that's connected to the internet. I'll live like it's the 1930s if I ever have to.
Likely because the manufacturer used of off the shelf hardware that just happened to have GPS built in? That's just how these things go, it's easier to just use pre designed hardware for what you need, even if it has functionalities you won't use.
Hell, I'd argue that the vast majority of computer hardware out there isn't using half of the features that it has.
Just because features are there doesn't mean they're used, and definitely doesn't automatically mean that there are evil or nefarious intentions with its design
I agree with you in principle but that doesn't really help us much when poorly wrought digital devices get compromised en masse. I can say "Mirai" and way too much of the population knows that it's an IoT botnet.
Those default passwords and superfluous software packages are cut corners, and directly translate to risk in your own home. Maybe you don't feel that 2025 has been enough years of neglect to start calling it malfeasance , but if they're tired of shit breaking and getting hacked and losing support I can definitely see the point of keeping more analog devices to minimize those risks.
Opportunity makes the thief, right?