Let’s face it, vacuuming sucks. Throw in some pets or kids and this Sisyphean task can drain your soul. Well, hello Roomba! This robot vacuum does the work for you. The i Series is the lower end version of the Roomba vacuum. It will map your house, can tell the kitchen from the dinner room, and will vacuum with a "Hey Google, clean up under the table" voice command. A truly wonderful invention. Just don't watch any of those videos where they smear poop all over the floor.
What could happen if something goes wrong?
A few years back iRobot got into a bit of hot water because it appeared they were mapping users' homes with their Roomba robot vacuum cleaners with potential plans to sell that data. Since then, iRobot has stepped up and made it a point to show they don't sell users' personal data about their lives or homes. And you can choose to not have map data transmitted to iRobot at all. This is very good. Now it seems the biggest thing you have to worry about with your Roomba is it rolling through dog poo on the floor and creating a huge mess.
Can it snoop on me?
Camera
Device: Yes
App: No
Microphone
Device: No
App: No
Tracks location
Device: No
App: Yes
What can be used to sign up?
Yes
Phone
No
Third-party account
No
What data does the company collect?
Personal
Name, email, phone number, address
Body related
Social
How does the company use this data?
How can you control your data?
What is the company’s known track record of protecting users’ data?
No known incidents in the last 2 years.
Can this product be used offline?
User-friendly privacy information?
Links to privacy information
Does this product meet our Minimum Security Standards?
Encryption
Data is encrypted in transit and at rest. The Roomba communicates with the iRobot cloud service using robust encryption. Cleaning Area map data is encrypted and stored in iRobot's cloud infrastructure. Robot information is stored separately from any customer information to de-identify the robot and its associated data from its owner.
Strong password
Security updates
The Roomba is notified of security updates when connected to the internet.
Manages vulnerabilities
iRobot runs a private bug bounty program, which means that anyone who finds a security issue and discloses it responsibly may get paid. They also hold hacking events to collaborate with the broad security research community.
Privacy policy
iRobot has several privacy pages explaining its approach to privacy in simple language. It has Roomba-speciific FAQs and information available.
Does the product use AI?
Scholarly articles are available about the machine learning used to help Roombas navigate a room and to make recommended cleaning schedules.
Is this AI untrustworthy?
What kind of decisions does the AI make about you or for you?
Is the company transparent about how the AI works?
Does the user have control over the AI features?
Comments
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