In a world where a pandemic means long distance relationships are common, long distance toys for intimacy are keeping up. The Nora vibrator, which partners with the Lovense Max 2 male masturbator, connects to the Lovense Remote app via Bluetooth. Once connected, couples can sync with each other's toys, for a two-way interactive experience. When the Nora moves, the Max responds. When the Max moves, the Nora responds. The speed of your movements is felt on the other end by your partner, and vise versa. And to be inclusive of all couples, two Noras can sync together, two Maxes can sync together, as well a Nora and a Max syncing together. Couples can also control each other's toys with a smartphone or tablet. You can even record an interactive two-way session and play it back for those times when your partner isn't able to join in.
What could happen if something goes wrong?
Lovense seems to do a pretty good job protecting users privacy and security. We love that they don't sell any user data they collect. They do collect and use personal information for things like third party analytics service providers and advertising partners if users chose to share that data, which is a fairly common practice so it doesn't worry us too much. Their privacy policy and privacy FAQ are written in fairly easy to understand language so users can know what types of data they collect, how they use it, and how long they keep it which is great. And everything you do over the app is encrypted, so you're sexy time chats and pictures can't easily be seen by random people. The Nora is a vibrator that connects to an app over Bluetooth and that app can be controlled over the internet, so it's not completely risk free. There's always a chance someone--a jilted lover, a kid who learns their parent's password--could gain access to the app and see some pretty personal information or worse, jack your vibrator up to its highest setting and give you a jolt you weren't expecting.
Can it snoop on me?
Camera
Device: No
App: Yes
Microphone
Device: No
App: Yes
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
User content, including text, pictures, audio, and video messages (optional); friends list (optional); any other information users' provide Lovense with (optional).
Body related
None
Social
None
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?
Lovense has previously acknowledged recording and storing users' remote sex sessions in 2017, and that one of their Bluetooth butt plugs was able to be hacked in 2017. There have been no known incidences of data breaches or leaks in the past two years.
Can this product be used offline?
User-friendly privacy information?
User-friendly and accessible
Links to privacy information
Does this product meet our Minimum Security Standards?
Encryption
Strong password
Passwords for Lovense accounts currently use 8-99 characters with a required mix of letters, numbers & symbols.
Security updates
From our email exchange: "We routinely update not only the apps but also device firmware to provide a better and more secure experience. Automatic updates are in place where possible or updates can be initiated by the user. If there is a particularly important security update, we can force the upgrade by requiring the user to update before continuing to use the device or app."
Manages vulnerabilities
From our email exchange: "Yes. We participate in a private bug bounty program where our website, servers, all toys, and all apps are in scope. We're a member of the Internet of Dongs (IoD) project as well - which is a project aimed at improving the security of teledildonic products and services. We're also very grateful to other independent researchers, security professionals, and our very own users who have reached out to us directly with their own findings and concerns. We actively work with them as well to address any vulnerabilities they find and aggregate user feedback to determine additional privacy or security changes we can implement."
Privacy policy
Dive Deeper
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Sex toy company admits to recording users' remote sex sessions, calls it a 'minor bug'The Verge
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Hacking a sex toy is possible — and it could have dangerous resultsMic
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Screwdriving. Locating and exploiting smart adult toysPen Test Partners
Comments
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