Future of Sex
tagline
  • Remote Sex
  • Virtual Sex & Entertainment
  • Robots
  • Human Augmentation
  • Sex Tech
  • Dating & Relationships
  • Bizarre Bazaar 18+
  • Future of Sex Community
  • Remote Sex
  • Virtual Sex & Entertainment
  • Robots
  • Human Augmentation
  • Sex Tech
  • Dating & Relationships
  • Bizarre Bazaar 18+
  • Future of Sex Community
  • Flashbacks & Flashforwards: Legendary Science Fiction Authors Predicted Sex’s Far Future—In 1971

  • How Sites Like RabbitsCams.sex Are Redefining Online Sex

  • Everything Ancient Is New Again: The Rise and Future of Paranormal Sex

  • Dr. Olivia Lee’s Predictions: Solo Polyamory, AI Sexbots, and the Return of Romance

  • Will Snapchat’s AR Glasses Stifle Erotic Imagination or Open Exciting New Literary Possibilities?

  • Bots Behaving Badly: New Study Exposes Persistent Sexual Harassment by Replika

  • AI’s Got Your Back: Chatbot Helps Users Deal With Emotional/Sexual Rejection

  • Securing Sextech: The Importance of Keeping Your Private Life—Private

Future of Sex is supported by our readers. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Home > Remote Sex > What to Consider Before Buying a Bluetooth-Enabled Sex Toy

Remote Sex
Home›Remote Sex›What to Consider Before Buying a Bluetooth-Enabled Sex Toy

What to Consider Before Buying a Bluetooth-Enabled Sex Toy

By Ambra Tarallo
July 8, 2022
1961
0

Controlling a partner’s sex toy remotely sounds exciting. But what are the privacy-related risks?   

People worry all the time about having their passwords exposed online but are often unaware of the potential risks associated with many Internet-connected toys. 

When it comes to these devices, privacy is even more important. A smart adult toy and its dedicated app can collect very private data about the user’s sex life.

White-hat hackers claim many popular smart adult toys aren’t secure

In 2017, We-Vibe had to pay £3 million in compensation because of an alleged security flaw in their app. 

According to two hackers, the app was collecting intimate data, such as the real-time temperature of the device, the vibration intensity, and the exact time the user was playing with the device. We-Vibe claimed that these data were only used for statistical purposes, but they failed to warn the users, so two female customers decided to sue the company. 

In the same year, white-hat hackers from the Internet security firm Pen Test Partners could break into the Svakom Siime Eye’s web interface. This popular vibrator features an endoscopic camera. Pen Test Partners claims that its staff could access any user’s camera feed with surprising ease. The white-hat hackers also say they were able to locate any user playing with the device. 

Additionally, the firm claimed that even a person with basic hacking skills could do this and violate the privacy of a Siime Eye user. 

SEC Consult, another cyber security firm, allegedly found “multiple critical vulnerabilities” in smart sex toys from Vibratissimo. The Vibratissimo app has a chat feature that lets users exchange private photos and messages with an intimate partner. However, SEC Consult alleged that photos and texts sent through the app were “basically readable for everyone on the Internet”, along with email addresses and passwords. 

That’s because “the credentials for the whole Vibratissimo database environment were exposed on the internet”. According to the security firm, hackers can also control a user’s vibrator without their consent over Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. No need to be in the victim’s proximity.

The Vibratissimo app offers a “quick control” feature, so the user can quickly request their partner to control their toy by sending them a link over a text or email. This way, the user doesn’t need to wait for their playmate to sign up for an account. 

SEC Consult said that the unique ID associated with the control request link is easy to guess for any hacker. “An attacker can guess this ID easily and therefore control the victim’s sex toy directly over the internet,” warns the security firm.

Why sex toy security breaches happen

The main culprit for the vulnerability issues of most connected toys seems to be the Bluetooth technology. Most smart sex toys use Bluetooth to connect to the user’s phone and receive commands. “Even simply opening the Bluetooth explorer on your phone will reveal nearby smart adult devices that are powered on,” said Pen Test Partners’ Ken Munro to Wired. 

Munro also said that most Internet-connected adult toys lack a secure Bluetooth connection, making it simple for a hacker nearby to control the pleasure of the user without their consent.

Pleasure vs. Privacy: How to find a compromise

“People are extremely concerned with neighbors hearing the buzz of their vibrators,” says Armando Sparapani, owner of Number One Sex Shop in Ancona, Italy.

“Every day, I get asked for ways to conceal a sex toy so my customer’s parents or husband can’t find it. But people are dangerously unaware that a hacker — or simply a tech-savvy neighbor — can access their private data.”

“For now, your safest bet to pleasure a faraway partner is using an offline voice-controlled vibrator,” suggests Sparapani. “Just talk to your partner over any video chat service of your choice or even a traditional phone call. The vibrator will change the stimulation intensity based on the rhythm and volume of your voice. If you choose video chat, make sure that you choose a service with adequate encryption.” 

More and more sex tech companies are working hard to fix vulnerability issues and create a safer experience for vibrator users. 

Joris Guisado, Lovense’s COO, confessed to Wired that Pen Test Partners hacking his company’s sex toys and demonstrating their vulnerabilities was actually a good thing. After that incident, Lovense reached out to Pen Test Partner and is now working together with the security firm to enhance the safety of its Internet-connected sex toys. 

“My customers are thrilled at the idea of controlling a partner’s sex toy with their phone,” continues Sparapani. “I definitely see a bright future for Internet-connected vibrators. I hope that the industry will implement safer controlling technologies, so the customers will never have to choose between privacy and fun.”  

Image sources: Dainis Graveris

Ambra Tarallo

Ambra Tarallo (she/her) has been a freelance writer since 2015. Her areas of expertise include technology, augmented reality, dating, and relationships. When she’s not writing, you’ll likely find her enjoying some time outdoors with her dog Chicco.
Previous Article

People Are Getting Married in the Metaverse. ...

Next Article

New Non-Hormonal Male Birth Control Pill to ...

Related articles More from author

  • Remote SexVirtual Sex & Entertainment

    The WeTac Electrotactile Glove Gives VR Users a Hyper-Realistic Sense of Touch

    May 9, 2023
    By M. Christian
  • The Feel Connect app joins remote sex devices together for long-distance sexual fun.
    Remote Sex

    Feel Connect App: Getting Started with the Interactive Sex Toy App

    August 16, 2017
    By Jon Pressick
  • AugmentationRemote SexRobotsSex TechVirtual Sex & EntertainmentVirtual SexImmersive Entertainment

    Infographic: The Future of Sex

    November 17, 2016
    By Future of Sex
  • Remote Sex

    So You Want to Be a Webcam Model? Here’s How to Get Started

    October 29, 2019
    By Libby
  • A Comingle device behind bars.
    Remote SexSex Tech

    Hackable Dildo Company Seeks Prior Art and Funds for Cybersex Patent Defense Case

    July 27, 2015
    By Jenna Owsianik
  • AugmentationRemote SexRobots

    Ray Kurzweil’s Sex Predictions: Remote Touching, Body Swapping, and More

    June 2, 2016
    By Antony Scholefield

  • Sex Tech

    It’s Time to Talk about White Privilege in Sex Tech

  • Sexbots
    Robots

    New Technologies That Could Give Sexbots Ultra-realistic Skin

  • Robots

    Pole-dancing Robot Stripper Performs at Melbourne Sexpo

Virtual Lust is a 3D interactive sex game.
3DXChat
Discover the best virtual sex parties and 3D sex worlds.
  • TOP REVIEWS

  • Harmony ai sex doll from RealDoll

    State of the Sexbot Market: The World’s Best Sex Robot and AI Sex Doll Companies ...

  • Realistic Sex Games

    Review of the Best Sex Games and Most Realistic Sex Simulators [UPDATED]

    0
  • Screenshot of a sexbot from adult entertainment game

    The Best Adult Games on Steam [UPDATED]

  • Screenshot of FeelConnect app future of interactivity intimacy available on Apple and Google Store

    The Best Sex Game Apps for Couples [UPDATED]

  • Project QT is the most popular RPG sex game at hentai sex game portal Nutaku.

    The Best RPG Sex Games [UPDATED]

Fantasy sex game Dream Sex World lets you explore your wildest desires.
Multiplayer sex world Red Light Center continues to impress with its massive userbase and incredible sex graphics.
A blonde and light-skinned love doll face sppears next to the text Go now realdollxthe future is real.

Like Us on Facebook

Newsletter Subscription

Sign up for our monthly newsletter sharing the very best of the future of sex from our publication and others across the web.

DreamSexWorld offers a stunning XXX 3D world filled with incredibly interactive erotic experiences.

Like Us On Facebook

Facebook Pagelike Widget

RLC_ad_v2

Tweets by @FutureofSex
Future of Sex Report

Follow us

  • Home
  • About
  • ADVERTISE
  • Contribute
  • Story Ideas
  • Sitemap
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
© 2011 - 2022 Future Exploration Network
This website or its third-party tools use cookies to improve user experience and track affiliate sales. To learn more about why we need to use cookies, please refer to the Privacy Policy.

By clicking the agree button or continuing to browse through the website, you agree to the use of cookies. Accept Privacy Policy
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
SAVE & ACCEPT