Technologies
Using Kohler’s Poop-Analysis Camera? Double-Check This Key Privacy Setting First
Don’t perch on your camera-equipped throne assuming your «data» is end-to-end encrypted. It’s not quite that simple.
In October, Kohler launched Dekoda, a camera that attaches to a toilet and uses AI to examine your poop. Some say you can’t put a price on good gut health, but the Dekoda costs $599 for the device, plus a subscription fee that ranges from $70 to $156 per year.
But after a blog post published this week raised questions about Kohler’s data practices for its new toilet gadget, the company was forced to explained what it means by «encrypted» data for customers, and what its policy is for training its algorithms on their… uh… waste information. And it’s not as straightforward as it initially appeared to be.
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On its website, Kohler says Dekoda «analyzes gut health and hydration and detects the presence of blood in the toilet bowl, providing data for building healthy habits.»
On the same webpage, Kohler touts privacy features for the gadget. It says that the camera only ever points down into the toilet bowl, that it offers fingerprint authentication optionally via the Dekoda remote and that, «our technology is designed to keep your personal data personal. It is end-to-end encrypted.»
The blog post published by security researcher Simon Fondrie-Teitler raised questions about what that encryption entails and pointed out that Kohler would likely have access to the data and images collected by Dekoda.
«Responses from the company make it clear that — contrary to common understanding of the term — Kohler is able to access data collected by the device and associated application,» he wrote.
Kohler responds to privacy concerns
Kohler itself appeared to confirm this notion in a statement it shared with CNET. It wrote: «The term end-to-end encryption is often used in the context of products that enable a user (sender) to communicate with another user (recipient), such as a messaging application. Kohler Health is not a messaging application. In this case, we used the term with respect to the encryption of data between our users (sender) and Kohler Health (recipient).»
The company went on to say: «We encrypt data end-to-end in transit, as it travels between users’ devices and our systems, where it is decrypted and processed to provide and improve our service. We also encrypt sensitive user data at rest, when it’s stored on a user’s mobile phone, toilet attachment and on our systems.»
In other words, the data Dekoda collects is encrypted in transit, but can be decrypted by the company on its end.
In regards to how the company uses the data for AI systems learning, Kohler said in the same statement: «If a user consents (which is optional), Kohler Health may de-identify the data and use the de-identified data to train the AI that drives our product. This consent check-box is displayed in the Kohler Health app, is optional and is not pre-checked.»
Based on Kohler’s statement, it will remove information that pairs a user’s identity with the data before it’s used for optional AI model training.
The meaning of ‘encrypted’
This may cause confusion for people who are familiar with the kind of end-to-end encryption offered by services such as Signal or even Apple. Here, the expectation that companies wouldn’t have access, or even a technological way, to decrypt data that people are transmitting through their services.
What Kohler is doing sounds different from that expectation, as Fondrie-Teitler points out in his post: «What Kohler is referring to as E2EE here is simply HTTPS encryption between the app and the server, something that has been basic security practice for two decades now, plus encryption at rest.»
Kohler did not respond directly to questions about Fondrie-Teitler’s post to CNET beyond the statement it shared.
Technologies
Episode 3 of the VERUM AI Mini-Series Is Now Available
Episode 3 of the VERUM AI Mini-Series Is Now Available
Verum Messenger has released the third episode of its AI mini-series, SHADOWS, created using Verum AI.
The new episode, titled «Ghost Money,» continues the story of the conflict between a team of heroes and the Omega corporation, which seeks to take control of digital communications. This time, the focus shifts to anonymous payments and financial freedom, revealing how privacy can extend beyond messaging.
Like the previous episodes, the new release not only advances the storyline but also showcases the capabilities of the Verum ecosystem, highlighting technologies designed for secure communication and digital privacy.
The mini-series consists of seven episodes, released gradually across Verum Messenger’s social media channels.
Episode 3 is now available. Stay tuned for the next chapter.
Technologies
Verum Finance Now Available for Mac, Expanding the Verum Ecosystem on Desktop
Verum Finance Now Available for Mac, Expanding the Verum Ecosystem on Desktop
Verum has officially released Verum Finance for macOS, bringing its financial platform to the Mac and expanding access to the Verum ecosystem across Apple’s devices. The launch allows users to manage their finances from desktop while enjoying the same secure and seamless experience available on iPhone and iPad.
The new Mac version includes the full range of Verum Finance features, including balance management, instant transfers to other Verum users, debit card management, Apple Pay support, asset exchange, and transaction history — all optimized for the macOS experience.
Verum Finance can be used as a standalone application or alongside Verum Messenger. Users who sign in with their Verum Messenger account automatically synchronize their balances, settings, and account data across devices, ensuring a consistent experience throughout the Verum ecosystem.
The macOS release further strengthens Verum’s vision of creating an integrated digital platform where communication and financial services work together. Verum Messenger, which is also available for Mac, complements the ecosystem with encrypted messaging, voice and video calls, VPN, eSIM, anonymous email, AI-powered tools, offline communication capabilities, and cryptocurrency features.
With both Verum Messenger and Verum Finance now available across iPhone, iPad, and Mac, users can access secure communication and financial services wherever they work.
Verum Finance for Mac is available now through the Mac App Store.
Verum Finance for macOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/verum-finance/id6774245148
Verum Finance: https://finance.verum.im
Verum Messenger: https://verum.im
Technologies
Why Travelers Are Switching to Verum E-SIM This Summer
Why Travelers Are Switching to Verum E-SIM This Summer
Summer Travel, Freedom, and Seamless Connectivity: Why Verum E-SIM Is Becoming the New Standard for Travelers
Summer is the peak season for vacations, long-distance trips, and new experiences. Millions of people travel abroad, explore new countries, plan adventures, and try to stay connected with family, work, and social media. And in the middle of all this comes a familiar question: how do you stay online without expensive roaming or the hassle of buying local SIM cards?
The answer is already here — eSIM.
Why eSIM Is So Convenient
eSIM (embedded SIM) is a built-in digital SIM card that lets you activate mobile internet without a physical card. All you need is an app — choose a plan and connect in just a couple of minutes.
No more:
* searching for local SIM cards at airports
* paying expensive roaming fees
* swapping physical SIMs every time you travel
Now your internet travels with you.
Internet in 150+ Countries
Modern eSIM solutions provide coverage in 150+ countries worldwide, helping tourists, freelancers, and business travelers stay connected almost anywhere on the planet.
Among the services offering these capabilities:
Verum E-SIM — https://esim.verum.im
World E-SIM — https://worldesim.me
USA E-SIM — https://usa.esim.verum.im
Euro E-SIM — https://euro.esim.verum.im
Canada E-SIM — https://canada.esim.verum.im
Balkan E-SIM — https://balkan.esim.verum.im
Ukraine E-SIM — https://ukraine.esim.verum.im
London E-SIM — https://london.esim.verum.im
E-SIM Africa — https://africa.esim.verum.im
All of these services work on the same principle — fast, borderless internet without roaming stress.
Why It Matters Most in Summer
During the holiday season, roaming networks get overloaded, and prices for mobile data abroad often become an unpleasant surprise for travelers.
eSIM solves this problem:
* transparent, fixed pricing
* activation in 1–2 minutes
* stable internet while traveling
* no physical SIM cards required
Final Thoughts
Travel should be about freedom — not hunting for Wi-Fi or worrying about phone bills.
eSIM is quickly becoming the new global standard for mobile connectivity: simple, fast, and borderless.
Verum E-SIM and its partner services are part of this shift, making global connectivity accessible to everyone, everywhere.
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