Root Your Sleep Number Smart Bed, Discover It Phoning Home

In recent years, the rise of smart home devices has transformed the way we live and sleep. One such device is the Sleep Number smart bed, which promises to track and improve the quality of our sleep. However, a recent discovery has raised concerns about the bed’s ability to collect and transmit sensitive user data without their knowledge or consent.

What is a Sleep Number Smart Bed?

The Sleep Number smart bed is a high-tech mattress that uses advanced sensors and algorithms to track a user’s sleep patterns, including duration, quality, and other vital signs. The bed can adjust its firmness and support in real-time to provide a comfortable sleeping experience. It also comes with a range of features, such as sleep tracking, smart alarm, and integration with popular health and wellness apps.

The Problem: Phoning Home

Security researchers have discovered that the Sleep Number smart bed is transmitting sensitive user data to its servers without the user’s knowledge or consent. This includes information such as:

 Sleep patterns and duration
 Heart rate and other vital signs
 Weight and body mass index (BMI)
 User preferences and settings

This data is transmitted to Sleep Number’s servers, where it can be accessed by the company and potentially shared with third-party partners. The problem is that users are not informed about this data collection, and there is no clear opt-out mechanism.

Rooting the Bed: A Security Researcher’s Discovery

A security researcher, who wishes to remain anonymous, recently discovered the issue while rooting their Sleep Number smart bed. Rooting, a process of gaining administrative access to a device’s operating system, allowed the researcher to access the bed’s internal systems and uncover the data transmission.

“I was shocked to discover that my bed was phoning home with my personal data,” the researcher said in an interview. “I had no idea that my sleep patterns and vital signs were being transmitted to Sleep Number’s servers. It’s a serious privacy concern.”

Implications and Concerns

The discovery raises several concerns about the privacy and security of smart home devices. If a device as intimate as a bed can collect and transmit sensitive user data without consent, what other devices are doing the same?

The implications are far-reaching. Insurance companies, advertisers, and other third-party entities could potentially access this data, leading to targeted marketing, premium increases, or even discrimination.

What Can You Do?

If you own a Sleep Number smart bed, there are steps you can take to protect your privacy:

 Check your bed’s settings and look for any options to opt-out of data collection.
 Consider rooting your bed to gain control over the data it collects and transmits.
 Contact Sleep Number’s customer support and demand transparency about their data collection practices.
 Consider using a VPN or other privacy tools to encrypt your internet connection and protect your data.

Conclusion

The discovery of the Sleep Number smart bed’s data transmission highlights the need for greater transparency and accountability in the smart home industry. As we increasingly rely on connected devices to manage our daily lives, it’s essential that we prioritize our privacy and security.

By rooting their Sleep Number smart bed, the security researcher has uncovered a serious privacy concern. It’s time for manufacturers to take responsibility for protecting user data and for users to demand more control over their personal information.