Stolen Smart Speaker Helps Police Locate Thief

By B.N. Frank

Manufacturers produce “Smart” devices that allow them (and sometimes hackers) to collect personal data on customers (see 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14). It appears that one burglar was not aware of this.

From Newser:

Stolen Kindergarten Gadget Reveals Alleged Thief

Police say smart speaker for playing stories leads to arrest

(Newser) – German police say they have solved a burglary case at a kindergarten after a storytelling gadget the suspect had swiped revealed his location. Police said the 44-year-old suspect had stolen various items during a break-in at a kindergarten in the western town of Halver in April, per the AP. Among them were a laptop, picture books, cups and glasses, some fish sticks, pasta, and a smart speaker for playing children’s stories.

When the man tried to download new stories onto the device a month later, it sent his home location to the manufacturers, who informed police. Police said the device has since been returned in working condition to the kindergarten, where it was eagerly received by the children. There was no fairytale ending for the suspect, however. “He faces criminal charges,” says district police spokesman Christof Huels.

Additionally, data collecting “Smart” devices emit high levels of harmful electromagnetic radiation (see 1, 2) Got pets? Exposure can affect them too.