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Bun­desnet­za­gen­tur ad­vis­es cau­tion when buy­ing smart prod­ucts

Year of issue 2024
Date of issue 2024.11.29

The Bundesnetzagentur advises the use of caution with smart products that may invade privacy. Smart devices with built-in cameras and microphones pose privacy risks whenever they can create audio or video recordings without anyone noticing and transfer them to other devices. Such products are not allowed in Germany.

“While smart toys, robot vacuum cleaners and smart glasses may make our lives easier, they come with risks to privacy that should not be underestimated. People must be able to clearly and easily recognise when they are being recorded, especially in children’s bedrooms,” said Klaus Müller, President of the Bundesnetzagentur.

Caution with these products

Surveillance cameras, for example in lamps or as a smart doorbell, can help to keep your apartment or property secure. These cameras are often equipped with movement detectors. They are only allowed in Germany if they are clearly visible and cannot make secret recordings.

Automatic pet feeders and treat dispensers make it easier to take care of pets remotely. However, these products may be prohibited if they have a camera or a microphone that can transmit images or sounds wirelessly. This is the case whenever the recordings are made without the person being recorded noticing and the recordings are transmitted via wi-fi or Bluetooth to the owner’s smartphone.

This also applies to smart glasses if they do not emit optic or acoustic warning signals that indicate when the devices are photographing or filming. What is important is that the person being recorded is aware that they are being recorded.

Robot vacuum cleaners help around the house and make life easier but are not allowed if they can secretly send images or audio files using wi-fi or Bluetooth to the owner’s smartphone. The deciding factor is whether or not they have a light or sound signal to show that sounds or images are being recorded.

The Bundesnetzagentur has again identified various spying devices on the market, including necklaces with a hidden microphone, a flower basket with a spy camera and a video-enabled electric shaver. 

When are smart products prohibited?

Smart products used in everyday life are banned in Germany if:

  1. they can record sounds or images without people noticing; and
  2. they can use wi-fi or Bluetooth connections to transmit the sounds or images to other devices.

Tips for consumers

The Bundesnetzagentur advises using caution when buying products with built-in cameras and microphones:

  • consumers should find out exactly how an internet-connected product works before buying it;
  • all parties involved must be able to easily recognise that they are being recorded, for example by means of visible or audible signals during recording;
  • it must not be possible for someone to have undetected wireless access to the microphone or camera;
  • consumers should check the product specification and the data protection provisions for the product’s app.

Help from the Bundesnetzagentur

Anyone who is not sure about a product can contact the Bundesnetzagentur for advice by sending an email to spionagegeraete@bnetza.de or calling 0228 14 15 16.

Further information is available at www.bundesnetzagentur.de/spionagegeraete (in German).

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