Kohler got caught lying about privacy features on its Dekoda toilet camera after security researcher Simon Fondrie-Teitler exposed that the company uses basic TLS encryption instead of real end-to-end encryption, as they advertised. The distinction matters because Kohler can fully access customer waste photos on their servers, and the company admitted it feeds this data into AI training algorithms after stripping identifiers.
The device costs $599 upfront plus a mandatory monthly subscription, and customers who bought it thinking their bathroom habits stayed private basically got scammed. Real end-to-end encryption means only the sender and recipient see the data, but TLS just protects stuff while traveling over the internet before companies can read everything once it hits their systems.
Kohler stayed silent when reporters asked for comment, which probably means they know they messed up but don't want to admit anything that could get them sued.
The device costs $599 upfront plus a mandatory monthly subscription, and customers who bought it thinking their bathroom habits stayed private basically got scammed. Real end-to-end encryption means only the sender and recipient see the data, but TLS just protects stuff while traveling over the internet before companies can read everything once it hits their systems.
Kohler stayed silent when reporters asked for comment, which probably means they know they messed up but don't want to admit anything that could get them sued.
