scorecardThe 12 'creepiest' tech gifts this holiday season, according to users
  1. Home
  2. slideshows
  3. miscellaneous
  4. The 12 'creepiest' tech gifts this holiday season, according to users

The 12 'creepiest' tech gifts this holiday season, according to users

10. Petzi Treat Cam

The 12 'creepiest' tech gifts this holiday season, according to users

9. Furbo Dog Camera

9. Furbo Dog Camera

It seems like people really don't like cameras that constantly stream video of their pets. Mozilla's only knock on this product was the fact that it shares information with third parties for unexpected reasons.

Regardless, 44% of users found the device "super creepy' and 81% said they probably wouldn't buy it.

8. DJI Spark Selfie Drone

8. DJI Spark Selfie Drone

At first, it might not seem like a drone could be that big of a security risk. However, DJI drones are so prone to attack that the US military banned them for military use.

Mozilla says DJI's Spark Selfie Drone doesn't use encryption, has a privacy policy written at a grade 17 level, shares your information with third parties for unexpected reasons, doesn't require users to change the default password, and doesn't have parental controls.

37% of users found this drone to be "super creepy," while 66% said they weren't likely to buy it.

7. Dobby Pocket Drone

7. Dobby Pocket Drone

Good things come in pairs, and apparently so do creepy tech gadgets. Just as two pet cameras found their way on the top-10 list, so did two drones.

The Dobby Pocket Drone is a pocket-sized drone that serves as a smaller and more affordable alternative to more premium drones. However, it's also kind of creepy.

Mozilla wasn't able to determine any of the security features on its criteria list, except for the fact that a password isn't required for use. So in theory it could be perfectly safe, but the fact that its security functions aren't clearly laid out is concerning.

45% of users found the drone "super creepy," and 88% said they weren't likely to buy one.

6. Google Home

6. Google Home

Although it seems like smart speakers are becoming pretty common, apparently not everyone is onboard with them. Google's smart speaker, Home, uses Google's Assistant to perform just about any function a smart speaker can perform. Mozilla knocked the Home for requiring a grade 14 reading level to understand the privacy policy, and for sharing your information with third parties for unexpected reasons.

47% of users found the Google Home to be "super creepy," and 47% said they probably wouldn't buy one.

5. CogniToys Dino

5. CogniToys Dino

This toy dinosaur is somewhat like a watered down smart assistant for kids. It doesn't have a screen, and instead of performing tasks like turning on your lights or reading the weather, it answers your kids' questions. CogniToys says the Dino "talks, listens, learns and laughs alongside kids." and can even lead them through a guided meditation.

Mozilla didn't find any major security flaws with the device, besides the fact that it requires a grade 14 reading level to understand the privacy policy. A 2017 security audit found that some unencrypted information could be transmitted from the device, however.

44% of respondents said the Dino is "super creepy," and 89% said they probably wouldn't buy one.

4. Amazon Echo and Echo Dot

4. Amazon Echo and Echo Dot

No smart speaker is safe when it comes to being labeled as creepy.

Amazon's Echo and Echo Dot are next up on the list. Mozilla says the privacy policy requires a grade 14 reading level, shares your information with third parties for unexpected reasons, and doesn't delete the data it stores on you.

54% of users said the Echo is "super creepy," and 72% said they weren't likely to buy one.

3. Amazon Echo Show and Spot

3. Amazon Echo Show and Spot

Poor Alexa can't catch a break. Mozilla had the same concerns with these Echo devices as with the previous pair.

59% of users said they find the screen-based Echo devices "super creepy" and 79% said they probably wouldn't get one.

2. Amazon Cloud Cam

2. Amazon Cloud Cam

Mozilla had the same security concerns with this Amazon security camera as with the previous two. It can detect motion, record at night, and notify you via mobile phone if someone is breaking into your house.

56% of users said the always-watching Amazon camera was "super creepy," while 87% said they probably wouldn't get one.

1. FREDI Baby Monitor

1. FREDI Baby Monitor

The other items on this list weren't in any real particular order, but this is definitely the creepiest gadget listed and deserves the No. 1 spot.

The FREDI Baby Monitor might seem innocent enough at first. It's a nice way to keep track of your children when you can't physically be in the room, and you can access a live feed on your phone.

However, this is probably not a device you want in your home. These types of baby monitors are incredibly vulnerable to attack. Mozilla says the monitor doesn't use encryption, has a default password of "123" that doesn't require a change, there aren't any automatic security updates, and the company doesn't manage security vulnerabilities.

Hackers have been able to gain access to these FREDI cameras and watch people in their homes, which is a feature you probably don't want in a baby monitor.

Needless to say, 81% of users found this camera "super creepy," and 95% said they probably wouldn't buy one.

Advertisement