An IT worker found his parents’ Keurig smart coffee maker uploaded more than 1TB of data in just 10 days, choking their Wi-Fi. The device also downloaded close to 10GB during that time, most of it staying inside the local network.
The worker spotted the unusual traffic after the access point slowed down. Instead of digging deeper, he unplugged the coffee maker and chose to replace it. A reboot might have fixed the issue, but the huge data spike raised bigger questions about why a coffee maker needs to send so much information.
Keurig’s smart coffee makers connect online for remote brewing, online purchases, and recurring deliveries. While handy, these features show the risks of everyday appliances tied to the cloud. IoT devices can clog networks, open doors to cyberattacks, and stop working if support ends.
Other smart gadgets have shown similar problems. Robot lawn mowers and vacuum cleaners, for example, can record room and property layouts and Wi-Fi details. Some models were found open to spying and unauthorized control earlier this year. In another case, a dryer was reported to send the equivalent of 135,000 text messages per week to its manufacturer.
Even with these risks, tech giants keep pushing smart home products. Apple is set to launch its first smart home hub with a display on October 13, joining Google and Amazon in the race to control connected living.
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This case is a reminder to watch how much data smart devices send and to ask if internet connectivity is really needed for simple appliances.
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Featured photo from Unsplash
