Google admits that Nest security devices have secret embedded microphones

Google says that it was 'an error' not to tell Nest Secure users about hidden microphone

Google has admitted that its Nest Guard devices, part of its Nest Secure home security systems, also have embedded microphones - a fact that only became public when the company told users that they would soon start supporting Google Assistant voice commands.

The announcement came as a shock for most users as Google had never disclosed that the security devices contain embedded microphones. Moreover, the security system's product specifications page didn't even mention that they include microphones.

Google has now claimed that it was "an error" on its part not to disclose the microphone in one its home alarm products.

"The on-device microphone was never intended to be a secret and should have been listed in the tech specs. That was an error on our part," Google claimed in a statement in response to a query from Business Insider.

"The microphone has never been on and is only activated when users specifically enable the option," the company continued.

Google added that the microphone was installed in the devices to support additional features, "such as the ability to detect [the sound of] broken glass".

Nest Secure has always supported Google Assistant functionality, although users need a separate speaker to interact with it.

The Nest Guard, one component in the Nest Secure range of home security products, is described as the brains of the Nest Secure. It comes with a keypad and sensors and acts as a way to arm and disarm the security alarm system by using a code or a tap of the key fob.

Nest Guard went on sale in the US last year and the company plans to launch it in Europe and Canada.

It's not the first time that the company has "accidentally" infringed privacy. In 2010, it admitted that its Google Streetview cars, in addition to taking pictures of almost every inch of a number of countries, was also 'sniffing' people's Wifi details.

The company is also the subject of a pan-European campaign over allegations that its online data-collection activities breach the new EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). It is currently facing an investigation by the ICO in the UK.

In France, the company has already been fined €50 million over its unclear data consent policies.

Google acquired Nest in 2014 for $3.2 billion. When Google reorganised as Alphabet in 2015, Nest was made a standalone company. However, it was again brought back into Google in February last year. Today, this division of Google offers different IoT products including security cameras, video doorbells, and smoke detectors.