MPs Highlight Tech-Enabled Domestic Abuse through Fitness Trackers, Home Security Systems, and Baby Monitors.
The Culture, Media and Sport Committee has raised an alarming concern regarding the role of devices such as fitness trackers, home security systems, and baby monitors in the escalating issue of tech-enabled domestic abuse. An average of nine of these “smart” products are present in UK households, according to the committee’s findings.
These devices are being misused to exert control over victims, involving monitoring, harassment, coercion, and control by collecting sensitive recordings and images. MPs are urging the government to address this situation promptly.
Committee Chair Dame Caroline Dinenage emphasizes that while connected technology has its advantages, there’s a concerning flip side to these gadgets that jeopardizes privacy and personal online safety.”The imperative lies with the government to collaborate with manufacturers urgently to combat this escalating technology-facilitated abuse, a challenge that’s projected to worsen in the future,” she emphasized.
Dame Caroline also stressed the necessity for the police and criminal justice system to enhance their capabilities in addressing this issue while advocating for enhanced support for victims.
The committee’s investigation, which commenced in May 2022, encompassed an evaluation of the benefits and drawbacks of connected technology, which included devices like smart speakers and virtual assistants.
Presently widespread throughout the UK, the utilization of these devices is anticipated to surge in the years to come. According to the committee, there will be an estimated 24 billion interconnected devices globally, by 2050.
During its comprehensive inquiry, the committee received evidence indicating that a substantial majority of domestic abuse cases now involve some form of cyber element. The perpetrators monitor movements using spyware and gather recordings and images of victims and survivors.
Of particular concern, the committee identified the vulnerability of children. It underscored the need to safeguard them not only from abuse but also from potential data harvesting and misuse. With young people being more likely to use smart devices, Dame Caroline called for intuitive privacy settings and age-appropriate terms and conditions for products used in schools and by young individuals at home.
Nicole Jacobs, the Domestic Abuse Commissioner for England and Wales, echoed the sentiment that tech firms bear the responsibility to address the problem. She emphasized that victims and survivors should not shoulder the burden of safeguarding themselves against tech abuse, but rather tech companies should proactively work to prevent harm.
While acknowledging the UK government’s strides in combatting tech abuse through initiatives like the Online Safety Bill, Jacobs stressed the importance of tech companies addressing all tools that perpetrators employ, including smart home devices.
Responding to the issue, a Government spokesperson highlighted the government’s commitment to combating domestic abuse, citing the cross-party Tackling Domestic Abuse Plan and substantial funding to prevent offending, support victims, and pursue perpetrators. The spokesperson further emphasized upcoming cybersecurity standards and the forthcoming enactment of the Online Safety Bill, asserting that the UK aims to become the safest digital environment worldwide.
