Air fryer warning as three popular models could be spying on you, investigation claims

Startling new research from consumer champions Which? has claims that some air fryers may be snooping on their owners. In an extensive analysis, a variety of models available in the UK market were scrutinised, with disturbing findings that several air fryers asked for permissions that could potentially allow them to eavesdrop on conversations.

Despite this, the Mirror pointed out that these kitchen devices remain sought-after for their ability to cook with hot air instead of oil, offering a healthier option compared to traditional deep-fat frying.

Interestingly, the Which? study didn't stop at listening capabilities; it assessed air fryers across six different parameters: consent, transparency, data security, data minimisation, trackers, and the ability to delete data, ultimately providing each gadget with an overall privacy score.

And Harry Rose, the editor of Which? magazine, expressed concerns over smart tech manufacturers' data practices by saying: "Our research shows how smart tech manufacturers and the firms they work with are currently able to collect data from consumers, seemingly with reckless abandon, and this is often done with little or no transparency."

The research indicated that three products – the Aigostar, Xiaomi Mi Smart, and Cosori CAF-LI401S – not only requested access to users' precise locations but also sought permission to record audio through the user’s smartphone.

The Xiaomi’s linked application was found to connect to Facebook, Pangle, and Tencent's trackers (the latter depending on the user's geographic location), and registering an account with the Aigostar required divulging gender and date of birth details.

Separately, it was discovered that both the Aigostar and Xiaomi air fryers transmitted personal data to servers in China, although this was mentioned in the privacy notice. A Xiaomi spokesperson responded to Mail Online, stating: "The permission to record audio on Xiaomi Home app is not applicable to Xiaomi Smart Air Fryer which does not operate directly through voice commands and video chat."

A Cosori spokesperson added that the company prioritises privacy and ensures its smart products comply with GDPR.Aigostar has been approached for comment.

It comes after experts warned air fryer users about the potential fire risks of the appliances.

Luke Osborne, Deputy Technical Director at Electrical Safety First said: “Air fryers have seen a huge surge in popularity in the last year, so as more of these items are used in homes, there is a risk we could see accidents involving these appliances if people don’t ensure they are using them safely.”