Recommendation for a radiation safety directive for workers' welfare, directed to the Commission.
In the heart of Berlin, a debate has been igniting among tenants and housing advocates regarding Vonovia's new Multisensor Plus smoke alarms. These innovative devices, installed since early July, are not just seen as safety upgrades but also as tools for surveillance, sparking concerns about privacy infringement.
The Berlin alliance against Vonovia and the Alternative Tenants' and Consumer Protection Association are among those expressing apprehension. Jasmina Ruhl, a tenant rights activist, and Niklas Schenker, the housing policy spokesperson for the Berlin Left Party, have voiced their opinions that the Multisensor Plus alarms are unnecessary, with Schenker pointing out that mold is often a contentious issue in Vonovia's properties.
The Multisensor Plus smoke alarms, unlike traditional devices, don't just go off when there's a fire. They can also collect and transmit data such as carbon monoxide, humidity, and temperature. This data is sent via radio to a "gateway" in the hallway and aggregated and anonymized evaluations are sent to Vonovia and stored for up to three years.
Elke Fischer, the portfolio manager responsible for the project, assures that the data collected is secure and will be handled responsibly by Vonovia. However, concerns about privacy persist, with Ruhl fearing that the collected data could be used against tenants, such as blaming them for mold in apartments. Niklas Schenker also raises the potential for the alarms to be hacked, allowing someone to determine when tenants are at home.
Marcel Eupen, from the Alternative Tenants' and Consumer Protection Association, argues that the new smoke alarms are merely a replacement for the ones installed just a few years ago and disputes that they offer tenants a higher level of security justifying a rent increase. He also questions the need for such a costly investment, with the planned exchange of smoke alarms seen by Eupen as a pure repair whose costs Vonovia must bear.
The installation of the Multisensor Plus smoke alarms in every room except the kitchen and bathroom incurs costs for landlords, which Vonovia records as a modernization measure that can be passed on to the rent. Tenants are provided with tips for improving the indoor climate and recommendations for improving energy efficiency via the company's app.
The debate over Vonovia's Multisensor Plus smoke alarms continues, with privacy concerns at the forefront. The costs, the potential for data misuse, and the questionable need for these advanced devices are all points of contention among tenants and housing advocates. As the situation unfolds, it's clear that the issue is far from resolved.
- The controversy surrounding Vonovia's Multisensor Plus smoke alarms extends beyond safety improvements, as concerns about privacy, cost justification, and potential data misuse have emerged.
- Tenants and housing advocates, including Jasmina Ruhl and Niklas Schenker, question the necessity and security of these smart-home devices, fearing the data collected could be used against them or compromised through hacking.
- While Vonovia maintains that the data is secure and will be handled responsibly, the Finance sector might need to address these concerns, particularly regarding the long-term storage of anonymized tenant data.
- As the debate progresses, real-estate and business analysts may also probe the economic feasibility of investing in such gadgets, especially when considering the potential costs associated with addressing privacy concerns and public backlash.
