Tips From The Top

What's your biggest concern about smart home technology?

If it’s privacy, you’re definitely not alone.

This spring, PCMag released results of its survey of 2,075 U.S. consumer adults about topics related to smart homes, including their biggest concerns about the technology. Privacy came out in first place, with 40% of respondents reporting major concerns. Part of this concern is due to devices like Alexa and Google Assistant that are always on, watching or listening.

These concerns are well-founded. Privacy has recently come to the forefront again with reports that Google's Nest home security smart speaker comes with a built-in microphone that Google failed to notify users about.

After privacy, 35% of respondents reported being most concerned about the price tag of buying so many automated, connected devices. Twenty percent are overwhelmed by the process of installing devices. Seventeen percent find the huge array of devices intimidating, and report having trouble deciding which products will best serve their needs. And integration is also a key concern; 12 percent are most concerned about how their smart home devices will interact with each other. Not a small concern, considering the huge array of smart home devices flooding the market, and competition among companies which may make it even harder for home owners to integrate smart home tech from varying companies.

Consumers’ concerns about privacy and security in smart home tech have been growing. A Parks Associates report showed an increase in fears when households reporting they did not intend to purchase a smart home device out of security and privacy concerns rose from 21% to 32% between Q1 2017 and Q1 2018. More than a quarter of households surveyed strongly agreed it’s impossible to keep their personal data away from unauthorized users.

But here’s the good news: these top concerns can all be addressed by working with a smart home integrator. In fact, these survey results point strongly to the need for integrators to guide optimal smart home automation.

If you want smart home technology to make your life easier, you don’t have to go this alone.

At Jackson Hole A/V, we prioritize our clients’ privacy and security needs. Home automation should make your life easier and more comfortable, and knowing your privacy is protected is a huge part of that. 

To learn more about how your smart home technology can achieve the highest levels of security and privacy protection,call us at Jackson Hole AV. We’d love to discuss the possibilities.