Google formally turned off distant management performance for early Nest Studying Thermostats final month, however it hasn’t stopped amassing a stream of information from these downgraded gadgets. After digging into the backend, safety researcher Cody Kociemba discovered that the first- and second-generation Nest Studying Thermostats are nonetheless sending Google details about guide temperature modifications, whether or not an individual is current within the room, if daylight is hitting the machine, and extra.
However after cloning Google’s API to create this tradition software program, he began receiving a trove of logs from buyer gadgets, which he turned off. “On these gadgets, whereas they [Google] turned off entry to remotely management them, they did depart within the skill for the gadgets to add logs. And the logs are fairly in depth,” Kociemba tells The Verge.
Together with stopping customers from remotely controlling early Nest Studying Thermostats (along with the European model from 2014), Google turned off the power for customers to test the standing of their gadgets from the Nest or Google House app, whereas additionally blocking safety and software program updates. Google notes that the unsupported gadgets “will proceed to report logs for concern diagnostics,” although the info the corporate is amassing not seems to be helpful.
“Though these logs can include technical particulars akin to HVAC error states, Google can not use that info to help the purchasers who nonetheless rely upon these thermostats, since assist has been absolutely discontinued, even in circumstances of machine failure,” in response to Kociemba.
Google continues to be getting all the knowledge collected by Nest Studying Thermostats, together with information measured by their sensors, akin to temperature, humidity, ambient mild, and movement. “I used to be beneath the impression that the Google connection can be severed together with the distant performance, nonetheless that connection isn’t severed, and as a substitute is a one-way avenue,” Kociemba says. The Verge reached out to Google with a request for remark however didn’t instantly hear again.
FULU awarded Kociemba and one other winner, who goes by the identify of Workforce Dinosaur, with the $14,772 bounty for bringing good options again to the unsupported thermostats.
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