Let's let this gadget make decisions for us. How secure is R1 when it comes to privacy?
It's still early to clear all the doubts that arise about the Rabbit R1, but little by little we are breaking down the little information we have about this device, which is becoming more and more.
In this case we have to talk about a topic that is of great concern to the community: How is the security of the Rabbit R1? Will you have access to my passwords? How will you manage the data we give you? Will you be able to act without consent?
In this post I am going to try to answer the most frequently asked questions with what I have been collecting from interviews and videos. To the mess.
1. Physical Camera Lock
As I already said in this thread, the R1's camera is quite peculiar, as the device has a physical way to lock the camera, giving users tangible control over their privacy. If you don't activate the camera, it doesn't do anything.
In this way we ensure that Vision Mode only works when we want it, and not when the device wants it, as for example happens in all current mobile phones and over which we have no control.
2. Non-Permanent Listening Mode
As with the camera, to ensure the safety of the Rabbit R1, the device activates its listening mode with a physical button. Unlike other AI hardware devices, the Rabbit R1 does not have a constant listening mode.
This is why it only listens and acts when the user physically presses a button to speak. If you don't press, it doesn't listen, and as before, unlike mobile phones and their microphones, this gadget will not be constantly listening to what you say.
3. Gyroscope Enabled Privacy Mode
Apparently—although information on this is very scarce—it seems that when the device is face down, all input and output modes are disabled, ensuring that there is no inadvertent monitoring.
Taking into account that it will usually not be able to hear or see anything that we do not first order, it seems to me to be a less necessary but equally interesting specification.
4. Personal Data Management
Rabbit Inc. ensures that personal data, such as name, phone number, and email address, are only used to serve the user and are not sold or shared with third parties without explicit permission.
I understand that when it comes to activating it we will have the possibility of reading its conditions, but it is appreciated that they have started to provide information on the subject even before its departure, since it is what worries the community the most.
5. Web Portal for Data Management
This may perhaps be the issue that most worries some dubious buyers, and as I mentioned, users can presumably manage their information and authentication permissions through a secure web portal, allowing them to have full control over what data they share. and how they are used.
Rabbit will only serve as a gateway, but they say they are not going to allow any type of leak to the company and that everything will remain in that personalized management to be able to have maximum control over our data and our device.
6. Isolated Environments for Each User
When a user interacts with Rabbit OS, they are assigned a dedicated, isolated environment in the cloud, ensuring that actions taken by the device are private and secure. This seems ideal to me.
This way we can be sure that there will be no data exchange between users of the same platform - which would be quite unpleasant - and that each of the Rabbit R1 owners is isolated from any other.
7. Secure Authentication for External Services
Like before. For services like Door Dash or Spotify and what I hope is a huge list to come, authentication is done securely through the Rabbit web portal, without storing passwords on the device.
All securely, remotely and without the need to fear that data may pass from one portal to another. I imagine it will be a system like connecting to websites or services through Google. Faster but equally secure.
These features reflect Rabbit's commitment to privacy and security, offering users peace of mind while using the device. I believe these measures are a crucial and differentiating aspect of the Rabbit R1's security compared to other devices and virtual assistants.
We will see if everything is fulfilled when it reaches our hands.
