Robot vacuums can be a great solution for users who lack time for cleaning, but a recent incident has raised concerns about these products. The Ecovacs Deebot X2 Omni model has reportedly been hacked across the United States.
Ecovacs Deebot X2 Omni insults and attacks pets
Chinese company Ecovacs Robotics’ Deebot X2 Omni robot vacuums have been taken over by hackers in the U.S. Cybercriminals accessed the devices’ control systems, cameras, and speakers, using them to hurl insults at people and even attack pets.
Initial reports suggest that the hack originated from a vulnerability in the vacuum’s Bluetooth system. Affected users reported losing complete control of their vacuums, which began moving on their own.
Among those affected was Daniel Swenson, a lawyer from Minnesota. While watching television with his family, he reported hearing strange radio-like sounds from his Deebot X2’s speaker. After resetting his password and restarting the device, he clearly heard someone insulting him.
Similar incidents have occurred in El Paso and Los Angeles. One user even reported that their vacuum insulted their dog and chased it around the house.
In response, Ecovacs stated that they have identified and mitigated the source of the attack. They also mentioned that they found no evidence of users’ sensitive information, such as passwords, being compromised. The company expects to release an update in November, although it is unclear whether it will address the aforementioned Bluetooth issue.
What do you think about this situation? Don’t forget to share your thoughts in the comments!
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