A smart home device privacy checklist should identify what each device can sense, who can access it, where its data goes, how long data is kept, and whether the device still receives security updates. Review the household, account, app, network, and physical controls together.
Inventory devices, rooms, and sensors
Walk through the home and list cameras, doorbells, speakers, displays, televisions, thermostats, locks, appliances, hubs, and children's devices. Record the room, owner account, companion app, microphone or camera, linked services, remote-access setting, and support status. Include devices that appear inactive but remain plugged in or connected.
NIST recommends planning before purchase and obtaining household agreement, especially because smart devices can sit in private areas. Its smart home safety and privacy tips also recommend unique passwords, multi-factor authentication, disabling unused features, reviewing privacy settings, automatic updates, and considering a separate network.
Review accounts and permissions
Change default administrator credentials and use a unique password for the device account. Enable multi-factor authentication where available. Review household members, guests, shared links, integrations, and third-party skills. Remove access that no longer has a purpose and confirm that a child or visitor cannot place orders or open sensitive information by voice.
The Federal Trade Commission's connected-device guidance starts with the router: change default administrator details, use wireless encryption, check for updates, and consider a guest network. Record the router owner and update method rather than assuming the internet provider maintains every setting.
Minimize recordings and data sharing
Open the device privacy settings and review audio, video, location, contacts, calendars, usage analytics, advertising choices, and cloud storage. Keep only the features the household actually wants. Check how to mute sensors physically, how listening or recording is indicated, how old recordings are deleted, and whether automatic deletion is available.
FTC guidance for voice assistants explains that devices may send recordings to manufacturer servers and can sometimes activate unexpectedly. See FTC voice-assistant privacy guidance. Review the maker's current privacy policy and retention controls instead of assuming a physical mute button deletes stored data.
Update, isolate, and retire devices
Enable automatic updates when the manufacturer offers a trustworthy mechanism, then confirm the current firmware version. Separate smart devices from computers or sensitive work systems when the router supports a guest or dedicated network. Disable unused remote access, purchasing, integrations, and discovery features.
If the manufacturer no longer provides security updates, decide whether to disconnect, replace, or retire the device. Before sale, donation, or disposal, remove it from household accounts, erase stored data through the documented reset process, revoke shared access, and verify it no longer appears in the app.
Repeat the review after adding a device, changing internet service, moving, or changing household membership. Record each exception and owner. The checklist is complete when every connected device has a purpose, current support, controlled access, reviewed data settings, and a documented retirement path.
Sources
- 7 Tips to Keep Your Smart Home Safer and More Private — National Institute of Standards and Technology, April 2, 2025
- Securing Your Internet-Connected Devices at Home — Federal Trade Commission
- How To Secure Your Voice Assistant and Protect Your Privacy — Federal Trade Commission