Abuse Using Technology

An abuser could misuse connected devices, also known as smart devices, to monitor, harass, isolate, or otherwise harm you.  An abuser could hack into these systems with a device connected to the network in order to control your devices or access your personal information. An abuser who uses your tech to track your actions may do so secretly or out in the open as a way to control your behavior by:

• taking pictures or video of you;
• keeping logs of your activity like those from a fitness tracker or your car’s GPS. These could reveal if you left the home to seek court protection, for example;
• eavesdropping on you; and
• gaining access to your email or other accounts linked to the smart devices.

An abuser could specifically misuse connected devices that you use to control your home by:

• turning lights and appliances on or off in your home;
• adjusting the temperature to uncomfortable levels;
• playing unwanted music or adjusting the volume;
• triggering home invasion and smoke alarms; and
• locking or unlocking doors.

Abusers can misuse features of connected cars, too, by controlling features remotely, such as heated seats, emergency braking, or remote steering technology. If an abuser with access to these features figures out how to control the speed or brakes of your car, this could put you in serious danger.

Note: Without access to your passwords, gaining control over your smart devices may require more tech savvy than most people have. However, other information could be easier for a non-tech-savvy abuser to access. When devices are connected through a data network or the internet, for example, an abuser may be able to log into that system to get information about how those devices were used. This information could include when you come and go from your home or where you drive your car.