Your partner is far from home, away on a work trip, but it’s OK – you have a sex toy that connects to your phone via Bluetooth, and they know how to access it.
At the touch of a smartphone on the other side of the world, you can still feel those good vibrations.
The problem is, so could any snooping, potential hacker, warns Emily Conway, CEO of London-based Dragon Toys and an avowed sex toy expert.
“The sex tech industry has embraced connectivity without properly addressing the security implications,” Conway recently said.
“What should be a private, personal experience is becoming a potential gateway for cyber criminals.”
Remote-controlled adult toys have been on the market in one form or another for years, but the connectivity that makes them such a unique proposition for their fans also leaves them open to exploitation and often lacks even the most basic of cyber security controls.
Many of the apps used by such toys lack strong authentication, and Bluetooth signals can be easily intercepted, which could lead to the collection of intimate data or even complete device takeover – with potentially dangerous implications.
Research conducted for the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology has already led the otherwise straight-laced UK government to issue a warning about such devices, noting that, aside from possible privacy concerns, takeover could lead to connected toys being forced to overheat, with disastrous consequences for the user.
“These devices collect incredibly sensitive data, such as usage patterns, session duration, and intensity preferences,” Conway said.
“When that information isn’t properly encrypted, it becomes a goldmine for hackers.”
The problem is that many manufacturers don’t prioritise security, instead rushing to get new toys – with new features – to market. A lack of industry regulations makes the issue even harder to respond to.
“The sex tech industry needs to wake up to these security threats before people get hurt. As someone who’s worked in this space for years, I’ve seen how quickly the technology has advanced, but the security measures are still stuck in the past,” Conway said.
“My advice to anyone using connected adult toys is simple: treat them like any other smart device. Always update your apps when prompted, never use public Wi-Fi for intimate activities, and check what permissions you’re granting. Most apps ask for unnecessary access to your contacts, photos, or location data.”
Conway said users of such toys should look for brands that are open about their encryption methods and privacy policies. Essentially, if a company can’t explain its data protection policies, then it cannot be trusted “with your most intimate moments”.
“We also need stronger regulation in this industry. Unlike banking or healthcare apps, there’s no real oversight of how sex tech companies handle personal data,” Conway said.
“Until that changes, users need to protect themselves by being selective about which products they trust.”
David Hollingworth
David Hollingworth has been writing about technology for over 20 years, and has worked for a range of print and online titles in his career. He is enjoying getting to grips with cyber security, especially when it lets him talk about Lego.