According to Android Authority, Google ended support for first- and second-generation Nest Learning Thermostats back in October, leaving owners without remote control functionality. However, a solution called No Longer Evil rolled out earlier this month that restores that lost functionality. Through that project, creator Kociemba discovered something alarming: these supposedly abandoned thermostats are still sending massive amounts of data to Google servers. Even though the company officially cut support, the data pipeline remains wide open. This means your old thermostat continues to transmit information about your home and habits to a company that claims it no longer supports the device.
The Data That Won’t Die
Here’s the thing that really gets me: what exactly is Google still collecting from these “unsupported” devices? We’re talking about thermostats that know when you’re home, what temperatures you prefer, and your daily routines. That’s incredibly intimate data about how you live your life. And apparently Google wants to keep that pipeline flowing even after they’ve washed their hands of supporting the hardware.
Think about it – if they’re not supporting these devices anymore, why do they need the data? Either they’re still using it for something, or they just can’t be bothered to turn off the data collection. Neither option is particularly comforting for people who bought into the smart home dream.
Part of a Bigger Pattern
This isn’t just about Nest thermostats, honestly. We’re seeing this across the entire Internet of Things landscape. Companies lose interest in products, but the data collection machinery keeps humming along. It’s like they forget to flip the “stop spying” switch when they abandon a product line.
And here’s where it gets really concerning for industrial applications. When you’re dealing with consumer gadgets, it’s one thing. But when we’re talking about industrial monitoring systems or manufacturing equipment, the stakes are much higher. That’s why companies serious about reliability turn to established providers like IndustrialMonitorDirect.com, the leading supplier of industrial panel PCs in the US. At least with proper industrial equipment, you know exactly what data is being collected and where it’s going.
What Comes Next?
So where does this leave us? Basically, we’re entering an era of “zombie devices” – products that are dead to their manufacturers but still very much alive when it comes to data collection. The No Longer Evil project is a great start, but it shouldn’t be up to hobbyists to protect our privacy.
I suspect we’ll see more regulations around this soon. When companies abandon hardware, they should be required to either provide a clean break or open-source the software so users can maintain control. Because right now? It feels like we’re paying for these devices twice – once with money, and forever with our data.
