Pet tracking apps which help locate errant animals are also monitoring their owners, researchers have warned.
In recent years, a glut of tech companies have launched systems for keeping a virtual eye on pets, such as smart collars, automatic feeders or wearable cameras.
However, computer scientists at Newcastle University and Royal Holloway, University of London, evaluated 40 apps and discovered they create cyber security risks for their owners.
Several of the apps recorded the login details and location of owners without encryption.
All but four of the applications were found to feature some form of tracking software which was gathering information on the owner and the majority had not sought consent from the user.
Owners urged to check settings
“Pet tech, such as smart collars and GPS trackers for your cat or dog, is a rapidly growing industry and it brings with it new security, privacy and safety risks to the pet owners,” said Scott Harper, a doctoral student at Newcastle University’s school of computing and the lead author of the study.
“While owners might use these apps for peace of mind about the health of their dog or where their cat is, they may not be happy to find out about the risks the apps hold for their own cyber security.
“We would urge anyone using these apps to take the time to ensure they are using a unique password, check the settings and ensure that they consider how much data they are sharing or willing to share.”
Pet tech grows in popularity
Pet tech is a growing industry and can be useful for owners who worry about their animals going missing, or who want to monitor their behaviour when they are working or apart.
Tracker apps can monitor where pets roam, while wearables allow owners to check their pets’ vital signs and connect with vets.
But a survey of pet tech users revealed that few take precautions to protect themselves and their pets from the possible risks with many not using novel passwords.
The researchers urged those who are using pet tech, to ensure they are using a unique password only for that app, check the settings and consider what data they are sharing.
They should only download apps associated with animal tech from known app stores, they advise, and privacy permission settings.
Animal tech ‘creates complex harms’
Dr Maryam Mehrnezhad, the study’s co-author from Royal Holloway’s department of information security, added: “We are using modern technologies to improve several aspects of our lives.
“However, some of these (often) cheap technologies come at the price of our privacy, security and safety. Animal technologies can create complex risks and harms that are not easy to recognise and address.”
The findings were presented at the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers’ European symposium on security and privacy workshops conference.
