Could smart homes increase domestic abuse? As our houses get ever more full of technology to make life more convenient, the possibility of using it for abusive purposes is increasing.
Very smart – and a tool of domestic abuse
Could smart homes increase domestic abuse? As our houses get ever more full of technology to make life more convenient, the possibility of using it for abusive purposes is increasing.
The alarm bleeps: 7am.
As you open your eyes, the blinds go up to let in the sun. You use your phone to check there is milk in the fridge for cereal. While you brush your teeth, the bathroom makes sure you are healthy. The light goes off behind you and the kitchen starts playing your favourite song. Finally, Google Nest HubA popular smart hub, putting control of various household technologies and apps in the same place. unlocks the front door and you step outside.
In the 90s, when Bill GatesFounder and former CEO of Microsoft, the company responsible for popularising household computers in the 80s (and still one of the major global tech companies). His house on the shores of Lake Washington is called Xanadu 2.0. It took seven years to build and is seen as an early example of a smart home. built his high-tech house, Xanadu 2.0, this was the stuff of science fiction. Now - although it might not be commonplace - it's not so strange.
The Internet of ThingsThe 5G system is expected to transform the internet, allowing multiple devices to connect with each other. For example, a driverless car will be able to pick up traffic reports and change its route for a faster one. is transforming how we live. The benefits are widely celebrated. Smart homes, we are told, are efficient, convenient, and more secure.
But more secure for whom? Alarm bells are ringing about a negative consequence of household technology: an increase in domestic abuse
Domestic abuse is not just a matter of physical violence. The UK charity Refuge describes it as "a pattern of behaviour on the part of the abuser designed to control his partner". (Although men suffer from domestic abuse, the majority of victims are women.)
With apps, cameras, and microphones monitoring every room of a house, tech is creating new ways "for abusers to control, harass, and stalk their victims", writes journalist Alex Riley.
Password-protected apps give the password-holder power to control the environment in scary and confusing ways. Victims have reported changes in temperature, music coming on in the middle of the night, and the front door code changing every day.
One survivor of tech abuse spoke of how her partner installed cameras for "security" which were then used to spy on her.
In April, the World Health Organisation reported a 60% rise in calls reporting domestic violence across Europe. The coronavirus pandemic has exacerbated patterns of abuse as households are forced to remain in lockdown together.
This has drawn important attention to the issue, but the virus is not a cause. Domestic abuse will remain a problem after it has passed - even as our homes continue to get "smarter".
<h5 class=" eplus-wrapper" id="so-could-smart-homes-increase-domestic-abuse">So, could smart homes increase domestic abuse?</h5>
Without question. Domestic abuse is about power and control - not just physical violence. The growth of domestic technology has made it easier for abusers to manipulate victims. The issue must be addressed by increasing understanding of the dangers of smart household devices, supporting better privacy settings on apps, and ensuring that laws protecting domestic abuse victims cover tech abuse.
On the other hand, smart home technology could help protect victims of abuse and bring those responsible to account. In the same way that a victim can be monitored and spied on, patterns of abuse and manipulation can be recorded and used as evidence. The key thing is empowering everyone to understand the technology and how to stay in control of it.
Google Nest Hub - A popular smart hub, putting control of various household technologies and apps in the same place.
Bill Gates - Founder and former CEO of Microsoft, the company responsible for popularising household computers in the 80s (and still one of the major global tech companies). His house on the shores of Lake Washington is called Xanadu 2.0. It took seven years to build and is seen as an early example of a smart home.
Internet of things - The 5G system is expected to transform the internet, allowing multiple devices to connect with each other. For example, a driverless car will be able to pick up traffic reports and change its route for a faster one.
Very smart – and a tool of domestic abuse

Glossary
Google Nest Hub - A popular smart hub, putting control of various household technologies and apps in the same place.
Bill Gates - Founder and former CEO of Microsoft, the company responsible for popularising household computers in the 80s (and still one of the major global tech companies). His house on the shores of Lake Washington is called Xanadu 2.0. It took seven years to build and is seen as an early example of a smart home.
Internet of things - The 5G system is expected to transform the internet, allowing multiple devices to connect with each other. For example, a driverless car will be able to pick up traffic reports and change its route for a faster one.