How pet-related apps could be a cybersecurity risk to owners


Many apps aimed at pet owners lack transparency about their privacy policies. — AFP Relaxnews

From connected collars and GPS trackers to health and wellness applications, the “pet tech” market has been booming in recent years. But these technological marvels raise questions about pet owners’ privacy, according to a recent British study.

Computer science experts from Newcastle University and Royal Holloway, University of London have examined the security of some 40 applications, available on Android, dedicated to pets and animals. They offer pet owners a multitude of services that are supposed to help them in their daily lives, such as tracking the whereabouts of their four-legged friend on their smartphone. But this peace of mind often comes at the expense of their personal data.

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