- cross-posted to:
- privacy@programming.dev
- cross-posted to:
- privacy@programming.dev
A software architect discovered his iLife A11 smart vacuum was secretly transmitting data to overseas servers in 2025. When he blocked the data collection, the vacuum was remotely disabled through hidden software that allowed manufacturer access[1].
The vacuum contained sophisticated hardware including an AllWinner A33 processor running Linux and Google Cartographer mapping software. Through reverse engineering, the author found rtty remote access software that let manufacturers secretly control devices[1:1].
The incident sparked discussions about IoT device privacy and control. Multiple vacuum brands including Xiaomi, Wyze, and Viomi use the same hardware platform (3irobotix CRL-200S), suggesting widespread vulnerability[1:2].
The story gained attention in October 2025, with tech commentators highlighting it as a cautionary tale about smart home devices[2]. Forum discussions revealed similar experiences with other robot vacuums losing connectivity or requiring resets after firmware updates[3][4].
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I use a broom, faster than any of these bots, cheaper, environment friendly and 100% private.
People that take a bucket to the river for their water don’t have to worry about plumbing leaks. Not having to spend time gathering water is worth the time of dealing with plumbing for me. I feel similarly towards having to do surface level vacuuming vs the time of dealing with firewalls.
Aka, automate the boring stuff
It’s well known that brooms are the pinnacle of cybersecurity among cleaning tools! Every smart device is a potential target for hackers, while these dumb tools stand as an impenetrable fortress. Forget about remote hacking; the only way to breach a broom’s defences is with good old-fashioned physical access and a hacksaw. As long as you keep your brooms locked up tight, nobody will be hacking them. Better yet, being 100% software-free, there’s no pesky malware or bloatware either. Brooms also take wireless security very seriously. No hardware kill switches are needed when there’s zero communication in either direction.
My Smart Broom isn’t so private
The ‘P’ in “IoT” stands for privacy.
I’m just gonna leave this here: https://valetudo.cloud/
I guess just by a vacuum cleaner without internet connectivity.
Brooms are better
If you do want a robot vacuum, use Valetudo!
Interesting article, but was that stupid, presumably AI generated, picture really necessary?
This is terrifying.
I have the Wyze version of this robot, currently pulled apart in a bucket next to my desk. The newer robots based on the CRL-200S (including the Viomi V8, Xiaomi “STYTJ02YM”, and my Wyze WVCR200S) have clamped down hard on ADB access, requiring a sequence of button presses to boot it into FEL mode in order to fire up the ADB port for half a second. But in over 200 attempts, I just have not been able to nail it down (
dmesgtallies USB connections, pretty neat). I’ve spent far too long fiddling with the current board with zero success, so I ended up just buying another board for $15 off Aliexpress, from a Viomi V6/V7. Once it arrives, I’m going to root it before reassembling the robot just to make sure it actually works.
The simple way is an cheer bot without net access and only basic AI. I had one of this for ~100 bucks, which did his work, but I gave it to my sister-in-law, because I was faster sweeping the floor with a broom.
I mean, I can sweep better than a robot vacuum, too, but my entire main floor is hardwood. It takes a while. So I summon the robot (currently a basic-bitch Eufy 25C with no “seeing” abilities) to help out. It’s also nice to have it run at 2AM for a general cleanup of whatever crumbs that were missed or spilled and not cleaned up for whatever reason… With 5 kids, shit gets missed sometimes.
The Wyze is getting Valetudo, and the Eufy will probably be gifted to my MIL, per my wife’s recommendation. She’s a neat freak, for lack of better words, but also in her 70s, so having a small vacuum making the rounds for her periodically would be helpful.
