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Topics: Sex and Relationships, Technology, Crime, Advice
Ella Scott
Topics: Sex and Relationships, Technology, Crime, Advice
A CEO has issued an urgent warning for anyone who owns a smart sex toy, claiming you could easily become a victim of a cybersecurity attack.
According to research published in The Journal of Sex Research, more than half of a sample of 11,944 participants admitted they owned a sexual wellness device.
While some favour cheaper models, others are willing to splurge on their devices, with thousands opting for a ‘smart sex toy’ over a traditional tried-and-tested model.
But did you know your intimate habits could make you a ripe target for thieves?
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Apparently, it's very easy for hackers to steal your data from your devices and potentially blackmail you, according to an expert.
As defined by Lioness.io, a smart sex toy is an object used for stimulation with enhanced technological capabilities.
This could be a vibrator operated via a remote control, a dildo that utilises artificial intelligence (AI), or swapping between buzzes on a love egg through a mobile app.
Virtual Reality (VR) sex toys, such as penis vibrators/strokers, can also sync to VR pornography content, so that you can be fully immersed in a fantasy, the website detailed.
Emily Conway, CEO of Dragon Toys, has warned how the sextech industry has ‘embraced connectivity without properly addressing the security implications’.
She alleges that what should be a private and personal experience is becoming a potential gateway for cybercriminals - especially where Bluetooth-connected sex toys are concerned.
Speaking to Pride.com, Conway explained that when information, such as usage patterns, session duration, and intensity preferences, isn’t properly encrypted, it can become a ‘goldmine’ for hackers.
By hacking into the pleasure items, thieves can steal your data, access devices, and even take control of the toy itself, according to the expert.
If data such as personal information, details about sexual partners, or sexual orientation is stolen, then it creates the perfect condition for blackmail and extortion attempts to take place.
Conway claims that hackers know because of their somewhat taboo nature, people who have their data stolen via sex toy exploitation are unlikely to report it to the police.
“The stigma around adult toys creates the ideal conditions for ongoing exploitation,” she alleged.
If you want to avoid becoming a victim of a smart sex toy attack, then there are a handful of steps you can take.
The first is to make sure you’re buying a product from a credible source that is transparent about its data encryption methods and privacy policies.
The businesswoman stated that any business that is not upfront about these facts should act as a red flag.
“If a company can't clearly explain how they protect your data, don't trust them with your most intimate moments,” she told the outlet.
It’s also advised that you treat your devices just like you would other tech, such as your iPhone, laptops, and gaming consoles.
That means keeping them up to date and making sure you track who you’re giving permission to and why.
Conway also recommends that you only use your toys on private Wi-Fi accounts, such as the one in your home or your sexual partners’ abode.