Robot vacuum cleaners are so innocuous, many people treat them almost like pets. But they're also potential portals into our private life. Story Lab journalist, Julian Fell, learns how to hack a robot vacuum cleaner and uncovers some disturbing facts about the security of connected household appliances. Also, acts of aggression and abuse committed in virtual reality environments. So-called "metacrimes" may be cyber in nature, but they can feel very real and have physical world consequences.

Guests

Dr Milind Tiwari – Postdoctoral research fellow, Charles Sturt University

Dennis Giese – independent security researcher

Sean Kelly – robot vacuum owner

Daniel Swenson – US-based victim of robot vacuum hack

Donald Dansereau – senior lecturer, Australian Centre for Robotics, University of Sydney

Yong Zhi Lim – former cybersecurity tester, TUV SUD

Further information

ABC News - Hackers take control of robot vacuums in multiple cities, yell racial slurs

ABC News - We hacked a robot vacuum — and could watch live through its camera