Google needs to know everything about you before it can set your thermostat

[dalton99a]

https://thenextweb.com/business/2019/05/13/google-forces-nest-users-to-use-google-accounts-raising-privacy-concerns/

Google forces Nest users to use Google accounts, raising privacy concerns
by Ravie Lakshmanan

At its annual Google I/O developers conference last week, the search giant announced a broader restructuring of its smart home lineup that was long coming. Gone is the Google Home brand, as is the standalone Nest, which it acquired in 2014. In its place is the new Google Nest.

But in a surprise development, Google has also announced that it will be entirely doing away with Nest accounts for new users, in addition to urging existing users to migrate to a unified Google account for a better “seamless” experience.

“We strongly recommend account migration to Google for all of our users. Having a single account will also enable Nest and Google Home devices and services to work more seamlessly together – for example, if you have a Nest thermostat and a Google Home, just say, ‘Hey Google, make it warmer’ to turn up the heat without any additional setup,” Google notes in a new FAQ it has put up on the Nest website.

But by getting rid of the privacy barrier between Google and Nest, the move has significant implications for user privacy.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

1. What in the world?

Should I consider myself lucky that I have never heard of Nest? Am I the only person that thinks having a device in your home that is listening all the time is not a good idea?

[Tracer]

2. No, you aren't the only one.

And paying over $200 for a thermostat doesn't seem like such a good idea either.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

5. Yeah, there's the cost also.

I recently needed a new furnace, and decided that while I was at it I'd get a/c, which I had not had. The thermostat is NOT a "smart" one, but it's digital which is really great. I can adjust the temperature by one or two degrees and I just love it.

I'm almost looking forward to the first day warm enough for a/c. I really don't get very many of them where I live, but it will be nice to have.

[WhiteTara]

3. The more I know about IoT, the less

I want to do with it. I really wanted a Nest, but was always concerned about it being online and now, that desire has been eradicated from my life.

[gratuitous]

4. Nothing to worry about

Don't be alarmed. Google will be mining so much information from all its users they couldn't possibly sort through it all to target just little old you. And I'm confident their security systems will be equal to the task of defeating any snoopers with bad intent. And surely your data will be sufficiently protected that Google won't just hand it all over to any law enforcement agency that asks, unless they have a really good reason, like your jealous cop ex-partner wants to spy on you.

Think of how neat-o it will be to come home to a warm house!

[DeminPennswoods]

6. You can buy stand alone programmable thermostats

My folks had one for years, worked fine.

[msongs]

7. google would also like you to turn off your adblocker and enable 3rd party cookies all the time nt