Homeowner baffled after washing machine uses 3.6GB of internet data a day

ikidd@lemmy.world to Technology@lemmy.world – 680 points –
Homeowner baffled after washing machine uses 3.6GB of internet data a day
newsweek.com
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Glad I bought a non-smart washer and dryer. I've yet to encounter any situation in life where I thought, "too bad my appliance doesn't have Internet". Not once ever.

I like my old dumpy dryer. Its a motor, a belt, and the most complicated component: a timer. Ive fixed the thing several times, still runs fine despite being 15+ years old.

I think my oven/stove can be connected. I have never tried because I don’t see the need to preheat my oven when I am not home.

Considering how security is often forgotten on smart devices, having an oven connected to the internet is pretty scary...

The only thing in my 6 year old washing machine that has been broken was the circuit board. Part mainly needed to cycle trough the menu because they put that instead of analog buttons. Meanwhile, I know people with certain German brand machines that are 30 years old and running perfectly for the entire 30 years, and if something would break it would 9 out of 10 be super obvious and mechanically easy to fix.

Sometimes smarter is definitely not better.

The big physical on/off button on my dryer broke 4 years ago. Bypassed it and has been running strong ever since.

Maybe unpopular opinion but I like connected stuff. I like what you can do with modern tech. I think it's cool to have a coffee maker or something hooked up to Home Assistant so you can start a brew from your phone when you wake up.

What I don't like is when I can't control the tech. The only way I'd ever allow smart appliances is if the data never left my network and I took reasonable steps to ensure the IOT devices are isolated and secured.

I don't own an IoT device, but I do like the idea. I just hate the idea of not being in complete control MUCH more. If I can't do it all locally, connecting to my own server, I don't want it.