So I guess the most important question you have to ask yourself: Do you care about data privacy and security? If the answer is no, then from a Privacy and Security perspective, you’ll be ok with any platform. If you do care, then you’ll probably be leaning more towards Apple Home.

Even if all three platforms were a 100% secure, you still have to make a decision based on what those companies do with the data that they collect on you. The business model between Apple, Amazon and Google are different and each company will use the data accordingly.

Part 1 - Hardware Setup -    • Easiest to Setup? - Part 1 - Apple Ho...  
Part 2 - Apps & Automation -    • The BEST Smart Home App & Automations...  
Part 4 - Remote Monitoring & Voice Control -
   • Remote Monitoring & Voice Control - P...  

See if Google sells Google Home on Amazon?
Amazon US: https://shreh.ca/2uIgjpe
Amazon CA: https://shreh.ca/2uIgd15
Amazon UK: https://shreh.ca/2uI3onv
Amazon DE: https://shreh.ca/2uI1xyT

Get the Amazon Echo on Amazon!
Amazon US: https://shreh.ca/2uIufzC
Amazon CA: https://shreh.ca/2uI3zPH
Amazon UK: https://shreh.ca/2uI3ADf
Amazon DE: https://shreh.ca/2uIaIPY

Get the Apple TV 4th Generation on Amazon!
Amazon US: https://shreh.ca/2uIaXKS
Amazon CA: https://shreh.ca/2uIaZlY
Amazon UK: https://shreh.ca/2uHYmXX
Amazon DE: https://shreh.ca/2uIkOAh

At SmartHomeReviews Eh, Monty and I base everything we do on actual usage. For these gadgets, I’ll end up buying boxes of them and then trying them out across the various platforms. And I do all this to answer the question “How do I get the MOST out of my home?”

Data privacy & Security

The Amazon Alexa and Google Home are always listening. I have no idea what they are recording or not recording. It’s nice to know they are always there but there is a level of uncertainty of what they are actually doing. I’m guessing at some point, Amazon will automatically send me a box of facial tissue when it hears me complain that I’m out. I’m guessing that Google’s probably going to start showing me advertisements for things that I talk about in private.

I don’t think it’s too far off where Google Home is going to pick up on my conversation regarding ball gags and show my advertisements on my site when I’m working on it for ball gags.

With Apple Home, everything is encrypted. Your requests are encrypted. The data stored about your home is encrypted so it sounds like it would be harder for somebody to figure out what you’re asking Siri to do in your home. A good example of Apple’s setup can be seen in the HomePod’s keynote where Phil tells us that the HomePod only starts listening when you say “Hey Siri” whereas Alexa and Google are always listening.

None of this is new information as Apple has made it clear that personal information privacy is a top concern of theirs whereas Google and Amazon base their entire business models on mining your personal information in order to improve their services.

However, at the end of the day, if you don’t care much about your personal data, this isn’t going to be a big deal. For example, the day that I started this comparison, i walked to a store that was closed. I’d been talking about getting fresh olive oil for a week and it would have been nice to have an AI alert me that I was wasting my time and energy walking to the store.

When it comes to overall security, Apple again has the upper hand as they claim that everything that occurs between your devices, home and Apple’s server is encrypted in a way that Apple can’t see what’s going on. I don’t think Google or Amazon can claim the same though I’m sure there is some level of security between the servers and devices.

But at the end of the day, every company is going to work hard to protect your data, just as long as they can use it to make money.

But here’s what I don’t like about Amazon’s and Google’s smart home setup. In short, there is a lot of fingers in your smart home pie. For my Amazon Alexa smart home setup, I’m running devices from 6 different manufacturers which requires me to sign up with 6 different web services. Same with Google Home. I have no idea how protected these different web services are.

For example, when I was setting up my Nest Cam IQ, I couldn’t get it to work. So I contacted Nest customer support and they were able to see all the devices that I had. That’s my information sitting with a 3rd Party that might not really need it. Does that company prioritize protecting my information? I have no idea.

With Apple Home, it’s just Apple. And I personally have more faith in one giant company who values privacy and security over a dozen smaller companies who may not have the same commitment as Apple’s.

But I’m generally unfazed by companies gleaming my personal information and if you’re like me, there’s a good chance that might not matter to you? But then again, do you really want an AI listening to your every conversation about ball gags?