30' (ENG, GER)

As smart-home technology becomes more prevalent, a disturbing trend is emerging—perpetrators of domestic violence are using these devices to exert control over their partners. In most cases, men use technological tools such as smart TVs, app-controlled lights, and security systems to monitor, intimidate, and manipulate their partners. Leonie Tanczer, a professor at the University College London, warns that these smart-home systems are making surveillance easier and more pervasive. Meanwhile, researcher Magdalena Habringer from FH Campus Wien explores the devastating psychological impact of digital abuse, noting that the despair experienced by victims can lead to extreme outcomes, including suicide.