Are your smart devices spying on you?

You have to love modern technology and the convenience it affords to us. Today, you could have your home run on a smart system that allows you to control just about anything from your mobile device. How much easier can it get... watch activities at your home, turn lights on and off remote, turn your pool heater on so that it is ready for your swim when you get home, ask Alexa to give you a stock update... your fridge can even prepare your shopping list.

There are many upsides to consider when deciding if a smart system is best for your lifestyle. One aspect that continues to get a lot of press is how these systems may affect your privacy. New broker earlier this year about Vizio got a $2.2M fine because it didn't disclose to consumers that it was providing their viewing information to companies (PS. I have provided a video below for your convenience that explains how to disable this functionality if you have a Vizio television). Additionally WikiLeaks unleashes some information recently that that presented how the CIA and others can use everyday home electronics devices—cellphones, TVs, and much more—to spy on us.
Where all of these new discoveries will lead us... your guess is as good as mine. We may not want to abandon the devices that many have come to love. However, it should peak our interest to want to watch carefully and stay informed.