Could your Roomba be sucking up privacy rights?

The new high-end iRobot “Roomba” model has been getting a lot of publicity lately — but if you have one, it may be doing more than just cleaning your floors and carpets. It may be vacuuming up part of your Fourth Amendment privacy rights, as well.

Entering the world of smart technology and the “internet of things” makes you and your home vulnerable to other users and devices out there in cyberspace.

The Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution gives “the right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures,” which cannot be violated unless there is probable cause to do so. A search warrant must specifically describe the places to be searches and items/persons to be seized, or it’s invalid.

But what happens when the desire to use smart technology means sacrificing our privacy rights and protections?

Recently, Colin Angle, the CEO of iRobot, announced that within two or so years, iRobot could begin selling its map data to companies like Apple, Amazon and Alphabet, Google’s parent company.

iRobot’s “Roomba” is a line of disc-shaped “smart vacuums” that are able to detect and clean dirt in a 360-degree direction by bumping into obstacles and its internal sensors “mapping” the surrounding area. Angle’s announcement would only apply to the high-end models of Roomba, beginning with the Roomba 980 model, which was the first WiFi-enabled model.

While Angle indicated that the company had not yet formed any plans to sell consumer data, his announcement creates a pile of potential legal implications for not just iRobot, but for consumers globally.

Convenience trumps privacy. Every time. But the question becomes how much privacy the average consumer is willing to sacrifice for a more efficient lifestyle? Data privacy attorneys would ask: What does my Roomba show? Who’s storing your home’s map data that allows the machine to do its work? And why are consumers just being told this now?

Technically, the idea that the entryways, hallways and floors of a consumer’s home are being mapped and analyzed is no secret, at least per iRobot’s Terms of Service and Privacy Policy, which says “some of our Robots are equipped with smart technology which allows the Robots to transmit data wirelessly to the Service. For example, the Robot could collect and transmit information about the Robot’s function and use statistics, such as battery life and health, number of missions, the device identifier, and location mapping. We use this information to collect and analyze statistics and usage data, diagnose and fix technology problems, enhance device performance, and improve user experience. Our Robots do not transmit this information unless you register your device online and connect to WiFi, Bluetooth, or connect to the internet via another method.”

The company’s Privacy Policy specifically states that it may share consumer data... “with (their) consent, to third parties who (it) think(s) may offer (the consumer) products or services (they might) enjoy,” among others. That’s a fairly large number of people knowing what the inside of a consumer’s home looks like, the size of their home, and potentially a consumer’s income level.

The truth is that we create our own pile of dirt. By purchasing these smart devices, albeit Roomba, Amazon Echo, Google Home, or other products, we implicitly allow these devices to monitor, track and learn about us. Consumers are all about hands-free communication, especially when it’s efficient.

Consumers expect their respective devices to live up to their marketing reputations and as such, don’t question how it’s able to do that. Society is buying into privacy intrusions. The question is how much privacy do we expect to give up? Are consumers waiving their constitutional right to certain protections within the home?

Smart technology ... it’s smart for a reason. Convenience. It trumps privacy.