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Smart Toilet Camera Privacy Concerns Rise After Encryption Claim Unravels

Consumers searching for clarity on how private the new Kohler Dekoda smart toilet camera really is are now facing fresh concerns. Within months of its launch, the device—marketed as a wellness tool that analyzes images inside a user’s toilet bowl—has come under scrutiny for its security claims. Many early adopters searched for answers about whether the Dekoda uses real end-to-end encryption, what data the camera actually captures, and whether Kohler can access any of the images stored on its servers. Those questions became more urgent this week after a security researcher revealed that Kohler’s marketing language was misleading. Now, the controversy is raising broader questions about transparency in consumer health tech and the balance between AI-driven insights and user privacy.

Credit: Kohler

Researcher Says the “End-to-End Encryption” Claim Was Wrong

The issue began when Kohler promoted the Dekoda camera as “end-to-end encrypted,” an expression consumers usually associate with highly private messaging apps such as Signal, WhatsApp, and iMessage. Those tools ensure that only the sender and recipient can read the data. But as security researcher Simon Fondrie-Teitler discovered, the Dekoda device does not offer that level of protection. Instead, Kohler was referring to standard TLS encryption, the widely used security protocol that protects data as it travels across the internet. While TLS is important, it is not the same as true end-to-end encryption. This distinction matters because many users rely on accurate technical terms to understand how their personal or health-related data is protected.

TLS Encryption Is Not the Gold Standard Consumers Expect

Fondrie-Teitler’s blog post, published Tuesday, highlighted how the privacy policy itself contradicts the company’s public messaging. The document makes clear that while data is encrypted during transmission, the encryption is removed once it reaches Kohler’s servers for processing. This means the company can access the images captured by the toilet camera. For consumers who believed the device followed the strict privacy norms of messaging apps, this revelation is likely to come as a surprise. True end-to-end encryption would prevent Kohler—or any third party—from viewing the photos at all, even if they were stored on its systems. The company’s mislabeling, whether accidental or strategic, has triggered renewed debate about the responsibilities of smart home manufacturers.

Why Accurate Encryption Language Matters for User Trust

In an era when health-tracking devices are becoming more common, precision in security terminology is crucial. Many consumers are willing to share sensitive wellness data only when they trust that it cannot be accessed or misused by the provider. Using “end-to-end encryption” incorrectly risks confusing users who assume a higher level of confidentiality than is actually provided. Security experts say such misunderstandings undermine confidence, especially when devices collect deeply personal information like gastrointestinal data and bathroom images. With smart home products increasingly powered by cloud-based AI systems, clear communication about where data goes—and who can see it—has become a foundational part of building long-term consumer trust.

Kohler Says Data Is Encrypted but Still Processed on Its Servers

Although Kohler has not responded to press requests from TechCrunch, a company “privacy contact” told Fondrie-Teitler that the data is encrypted at rest. That includes information stored on the smart toilet attachment, within the user’s mobile phone, and across the company’s internal systems. The company also maintains that all data is encrypted while traveling between devices and servers. However, the key detail is that the information is decrypted once it arrives, allowing Kohler to process the images and deliver gut health analysis. This admission confirms that the company does have access to the raw data. For privacy-conscious consumers, especially those wary of cloud-based wellness products, the disclosure raises meaningful questions about how long the images are stored and who inside the organization can view them.

AI Training Concerns Add New Pressure to the Debate

Fondrie-Teitler also raised a broader concern: the possibility that Kohler could use customer images to train proprietary AI models. Because the company retains access to the images, it has the technical capability to include user data in model development. While Kohler has not publicly confirmed any AI training practices involving the Dekoda device, researchers warn that the lack of explicit prohibitions leaves room for interpretation. This ambiguity has become increasingly common in the health tech sector, where companies often rely on large datasets to improve automated insights. Without clear opt-in or opt-out controls, users may be unknowingly contributing to AI systems that they did not agree to support.

A Growing Pattern of Miscommunication in Consumer Health Tech

Privacy advocates say this incident reflects a troubling trend. As more wellness companies enter the AI-driven device market, some exaggerate or misuse technical terms to reassure consumers. Phrases like “military-grade encryption,” “secure by design,” and “end-to-end encrypted” carry emotional weight, even when used loosely. When brands blur those definitions, they create confusion and make it harder for consumers to distinguish between products that genuinely protect sensitive data and those that simply sound secure. For devices that analyze bodily functions, transparency is not optional—it is essential. The backlash facing Kohler may serve as a warning to other manufacturers relying on ambiguous privacy claims to accelerate adoption.

Smart Home Privacy Regulations Could Soon Tighten

This controversy comes at a time when regulators are taking a closer look at biometric and health-adjacent consumer devices. Lawmakers in the U.S. and Europe have already proposed stricter rules around data handling for wearables, home sensors, and AI-powered wellness tools. If these measures pass, companies like Kohler may need to provide more explicit disclosures about data collection, storage, and internal access. Security experts note that these changes could help consumers make more informed decisions, especially as smart toilets, smart mirrors, and at-home lab tools become more mainstream. Clearer rules could also help reduce misleading marketing language, forcing brands to distinguish between standard encryption and true end-to-end protection.

Consumers Want Innovations—but Not at the Cost of Their Privacy

Despite the controversy, smart bathroom technologies continue to attract interest from health-tracking enthusiasts. Many users appreciate the potential for early detection of digestive issues, personalized nutrition insights, and seamless integration with medical apps. However, enthusiasm declines quickly when privacy feels compromised. Surveys consistently show that consumers value transparency as much as innovation. If companies want to maintain momentum, they will need to present data practices in language that is honest, precise, and easy to understand. Otherwise, even groundbreaking features may struggle to gain widespread acceptance.

Kohler Faces a Crucial Moment for Rebuilding Public Confidence

As the situation continues to unfold, Kohler now faces the challenge of restoring trust. A straightforward correction of its marketing language would be a start, but experts say the company should go further. Clear disclosures, stronger user controls, and unambiguous explanations of how data is stored and processed could help ease concerns. The company may also need to address whether user images are ever used for AI training and, if so, how customers can opt out. For now, consumers and researchers alike are watching closely to see whether Kohler will clarify its position or attempt to move forward without addressing the concerns raised.

Smart Toilet Camera Debate Highlights the Need for Honest Tech Communication

The conversation around the Dekoda camera is bigger than a single device. It reflects the tension between rapid innovation and the ethical handling of sensitive user information. As smart home gadgets spread into every corner of daily life—including the bathroom—companies must choose transparency over ambiguity. Accurate language not only prevents confusion but also strengthens the relationship between innovators and early adopters. The smart toilet camera controversy serves as a reminder that privacy expectations evolve as quickly as the technology itself, and companies that acknowledge this reality will be the ones consumers trust the most.