this post was submitted on 08 Jan 2026
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Privacy
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Just... don't connect them to the internet? Or if you must connect them for dumb shit like system updates, put them behind some access control where the only access they have is the server they get updates from.
I regret to inform you that preventing devices from getting online is getting more difficult: three years ago Amazon began allowing other companies' products to use their BLE-and-LoRa-based mesh network to get online via your neighbors' internet-connected devices.
FFS. Gonna have to wrap the washing machine in silver foil and get in the neighbours to pour water on their router! Joking.
Would be easier to create a “guest” network to connect those appliances to and make it a LAN (local area network) only. Can’t phone home. Can’t download updates.
I guess you missed my earlier comment in this thread; to reiterate: some devices will now get online via your neighbors' devices even if you don't give them wifi access.
Ah, no I saw the comment but missed the part where Amazon is letting other companies use the sidewalk protocol. I’m fortunate enough to have neighbors who don’t use Amazon’s stuff, but if other companies are using their tech it’s a moot point.
I wonder if any of these appliances would stop functioning if the bluetooth and wifi module was suddenly disconnected? Not actually asking, just putting the thought out there. I miss “dumb” products.
As we saw in this story from a few months ago, yes, absolutely, manufacturers will stoop to the level of disabling devices which are prevented from exfiltrating your data. I'm pretty sure I've heard of TVs doing the same with the network modules but I'm too lazy to search for it now.
You can't do that, if you allow that then how can you be sure the next "update" won't make your experience worst? Optional update controlled by the user is great, mandatory ones mean "your" hardware is actually not yours.
For hardware that does insist on connection and even enable mesh networks, it's safer to not buy those.
I've never used the feature but my toothbrush has Bluetooth for some reason lol