A Gold Coast technology reviewer found herself locked out of her own home – not by a security breach, but by the very device intended to prevent such a scenario. Elly Bailey, a TikTok creator with over 1.1 million followers, discovered her Google Nest doorbell was the culprit behind a series of missed deliveries, as reported by The Guardian.
Bailey, 33, explained that while the doorbell successfully notified her phone when someone approached, it lacked an internal chime, meaning she wouldn’t know someone was at the door while inside the house. “The crazy irony is the doorbell itself does make a little ding-dong sound when you press the doorbell button but it’s only loud enough for the person at the door to hear it,” she said in a TikTok clip that garnered over 1,400 likes.
Bailey’s experience is part of a growing trend of “smart home remorse,” as early adopters grapple with the realities of interconnected devices. Stories of malfunctioning smart locks, cameras triggered by pets and power outage-induced system failures are increasingly common on social media and product review sites, according to The Guardian.
The issues extend beyond mere inconvenience. Georgina Wilson, a Sydney-based architect, recounted an incident where her husband inadvertently damaged a smart keypad unit while pressure-hosing the house, resulting in an expensive emergency locksmith callout. Wilson now maintains backup keys in a lockbox, distributed to family and neighbors.
Electrician Daniel Vasilevski, based in Sydney, reports a significant increase in callouts related to smart home technology. He estimates that 15 to 20 percent of his work now involves troubleshooting or removing smart devices, with some clients locked out of their homes for days or left without working lights. Subscription fees for basic functionality, such as those required for some smart doorbells and thermostats, are also a frequent complaint.
Security concerns are also mounting. The Australian Signals Directorate recently warned of Chinese hackers exploiting home routers and smart devices, and over 120,000 smart home cameras were hacked in South Korea last year. Cyber and home-security expert Emily Holyoake highlighted the potential for technology to facilitate domestic abuse, citing instances of ex-partners maintaining access to smart home systems to monitor or control their former partners.
Privacy concerns extend to renters, as smart locks could allow landlords to track tenants’ movements. Real estate broker Julie Provenzano, with 83,000 TikTok followers, recently declared herself “apped-out,” expressing skepticism about the promised convenience of smart home technology.
Finding qualified technicians to repair smart home devices can also be challenging. Vasilevski noted that many electricians avoid these jobs due to their complexity and time-consuming nature, particularly with lower-complete brands that offer limited after-sales support. The discontinuation of product lines, such as Belkin’s Wemo range, can leave customers with unusable devices and limited recourse, according to RSE Home Automation project manager Gaby Albutros.
While acknowledging the potential pitfalls, experts suggest a mindful approach to smart home adoption. Holyoake recommends regular security checks, password updates, and careful consideration of data privacy. Bailey herself maintains a hybrid approach, opting for “consciously dumb” solutions for many aspects of her home while acknowledging the benefits of certain smart devices.
