"Record numbers of women who were abused and controlled through technology were referred to Refuge's specialist services during the last three months of 2025, including a 62% increase in the most complex cases to total 829 women. There was also a 24% increase in referrals of under-30s. Recent cases included perpetrators using wearable tech such as smartwatches, Oura rings and Fitbits to track and stalk women, disrupting their lives through smart home devices that control lights and heating, and using AI spoofing apps to impersonate people."
"Time and again, we see what happens when devices go to market without proper consideration of how they might be used to harm women and girls. It is currently far too easy for perpetrators to access and weaponise smart accessories, and our frontline teams are seeing the devastating consequences of this abuse. It is unacceptable for the safety and wellbeing of women and girls to be treated as an afterthought once a technology has been developed and distributed."
Record numbers of women abused and controlled through technology were referred to Refuge's specialist services in the last three months of 2025, with complex cases rising 62% to 829 women and referrals of under-30s up 24%. Perpetrators exploited wearable devices and linked cloud accounts to locate and stalk survivors, including tracking people who fled and left devices behind. Abusers also manipulated smart-home systems to control lights and heating and used AI spoofing apps to impersonate contacts. Survivors reported constant paranoia, disrupted sleep, and loss of privacy. Safety and regulation of wearable and smart technologies are urged to prevent weaponisation.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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