Travel Securely Securely Travel
The Japanese hotel conglomerate, HIS Group, an organization which prides itself on being technologically innovative, seems to need a reboot on guest privacy and security. Their Henn na Hotel Maihama Tokyo Bay is run by robots (see video below).
Two weeks ago we learned that security researcher, Lance Vick discovered the Tapia Robot which the Henn na Hotel has next to every bedside had a severe vulnerability - the robot could be modified to allow remote video viewing of the hotel room.
Vick, did what every responsible security researcher does when discovering a vulnerability - he documented it, and then contacted the company in July 2019 and was ignored.
So after repeatedly failing to get HIS Group’s and manufacturer’s attention over the course of 90 days he took the vulnerability public with a tweet:
100 robots watching
That got their attention and after a week of scrambling, the HIS Group acknowledged that the 100 Tapia Robots did indeed allow unauthorized access which included the ability to view a guest’s room remotely. They quickly added the nonsensical PR saw on how they had no evidence that any guest had gained such access.
HIS Group says the vulnerability has been addressed. No doubt HIS Group brought MJI (More Joyful Innovation) the creators of the Tapia Robot into the mix to make the appropriate adjustments. But, color us skeptical.
Sometimes words and actions don’t mesh, as MJI’s view on security leaves much to be desired. According to the Japanese TV Ashai, MJI was advised on July 6 of the vulnerability and determined that the “risk of unauthorized access was low.”
The Tapia is advertised with, ” The cute Tapia is also here to protect people. If the designated user is absent for a certain period of time, Tapia notifies other family members, allowing them to check in on them.”
Our advice?
If you are staying at a robot hotel such as those of the HIS Group, point all their in-room gadgets toward the wall and be on your best behavior.
And remember, you have little control of your environment in a hotel room beyond barring your door.
