Robots making long-distance relationships easier are a potential cybersecurity risk

There is a range of mobile robots, designed to spy on your pets, which people use to navigate long-distance relationships.

“POV: your boyfriend lives in another country but still annoys you,” says one of the many promotional TikTok videos currently going viral on social media.

The video shows a woman sitting on the toilet with her boyfriend eerily spying on her while she does her business.

“Let me watch,” he says as the robot he’s navigating approaches her. She promptly kicks the robot, which lands back on its wheels.

@thewinkybot How is he still annoying 😳 #robot #tinyrobot #minirobot #petcamera #longdistance #longdistancerelationship #couples ♬ Cena Engraçada e Inusitada de 3 minutos - HarmonicoHCO

This incredibly creepy little device is one of many mobile robots taking the internet by storm. This one, “the winky bot” has a small following but roughly 59,000 likes on TikTok.

People are even taking these robots on journeys with them, with one TikTok user showing the robot going on a “Walmart run.”

@anquashia Walmart run😂😂😂😂 @Antashia Jackson ♬ original sound - Amira

These videos appear to be most popular on Instagram and TikTok, with X users seemingly disinterested in the idea of having a portable robot companion.

However, there are various versions of these mobile robots, including the Patrol Bot, which follows the same idea. It’s a spherical portable bot that can be maneuvered with the help of a long-distance partner or friend.

For example, the Patrol Bot has dual cameras, voice features, in-app control, and “smooth mobility,” which allows you to stay connected with your loved ones even if you’re miles apart.

All you’d need to do is download an app, connect the robot to your WiFi, and start patrolling, the Patrol Bot website reads.

While these robots are generally designed to keep an eye on your pets, they’re marketed as a digital twin of your partner or best friend to help navigate the loneliness of long-distance relationships.

But could they potentially come with some cybersecurity risks?

Why could mobile robots be a potential cybersecurity nightmare?

There are various reasons why these robots could be a cybersecurity risk.

Firstly, having a device that requires a WiFi connection could enable hackers to access the security camera’s live feeds.

Depending on where they’re made, these security cameras often come with very basic passwords or poorly configured security controls, making them susceptible to attacks.

For example, the Enabot, which can be found on Amazon, is made in China. Cheaper robots made in China sometimes lack proper security and encryption, opening the attack surface for hackers.

Many security cameras, especially the cheap ones that consumers tend to be drawn to, do not have the appropriate security settings that high-end cybersecurity-focused security cameras have.

These types of cameras are usually cheap, ranging from $50 to $200, which potentially signals that they aren’t made with a cybersecurity focus.

We’ve seen it before, as security experts have previously warned that security ​​cameras that are supposed to protect users from danger are actually putting users at risk.

Hackers have been targeting security cameras for decades, specifically to aid in war efforts.

The latest attack shows Iran infiltrating security cameras to gain live intel on Israel.

While this is a high-value target, who’s to say that a Peeping Tom wouldn’t be interested in hacking into your home camera's live feed?

Even the most popular security cameras aren’t safe. In 2023, Amazon was fined $30 million for multiple privacy violations, including allowing Ring employees to spy on customers and creating an enticing atmosphere for hackers.

With these little portable espionage machines, which appear to be cute and innocent, you never know what you’re inviting into your home, or your bathroom, for that matter.