When you invite a company into your home for a basement waterproofing estimate, you expect them to look at your foundation, not listen to your private conversations. But a recent Reddit post has sparked outrage, claiming that Everdry Waterproofing has been secretly recording audio in customers’ homes using specialized software.
This isn’t about a smart speaker or security camera. It’s about a service provider allegedly crossing a major line, raising serious questions about Everdry Waterproofing privacy and how surveillance is creeping into everyday services.
The Software That Records Your Conversations
The accusations focus on software called Rilla, which Everdry representatives have allegedly been using for several months. According to the Reddit user, this software captures audio during in-home consultations.
Think about what you might discuss during a sales pitch: your finances, family plans, or your budget for repairs. All potentially recorded without your knowledge or clear consent.
The legal situation gets complicated. Some states have “one-party consent” laws where only one person needs to know about the recording. But many states require “two-party consent” where everyone must agree. The Reddit discussion showed how angry people are in these two-party consent states, where this practice could be illegal and is widely seen as unethical.
How Data Collection Invades Your Home
This story from a basement waterproofing company shows a bigger problem: unexpected data collection is everywhere. We worry about tech companies, but now service providers you invite into your home might be recording too.
Picture a contractor discussing a kitchen remodel while hearing sensitive family conversations. Or a repair person recording everything said during their visit. Your home should be private, a place where you can speak freely without worrying about who’s listening.
The potential for misuse is huge. Recorded audio could be used to craft better sales pitches or for worse purposes. It turns a routine service call into potential consumer surveillance. We’ve seen similar concerns with devices like smart mattresses creating a smart mattress privacy nightmare, but this involves actual people bringing recording technology into your private space.
The Legal Loophole Problem
The most troubling part is that such recordings might be legal in some states, creating a huge gap in consumer protection. Companies often hide their data collection practices in long terms and conditions that nobody reads.
Even if a practice follows the law technically, failing to clearly inform customers and get explicit consent breaks trust and feels deeply wrong. This puts the burden on you to tell every business entering your home not to record you. That shouldn’t be necessary.
Recording laws vary widely between states. Some require everyone to consent to recording a conversation, while others only need one person’s consent. You can learn more about these rules at the National Conference of State Legislatures.
How to Protect Your Privacy at Home
This incident shows that digital privacy extends beyond your phone or computer. It includes the physical spaces where you live and the services you use.
If a waterproofing company can allegedly record you, what other home service privacy risks exist? Here’s what you can do:
First, always review terms and conditions from service providers, even for basic services. Second, directly ask about recording policies when inviting anyone into your home. Finally, support stronger consumer protection laws that require clear, obvious consent for any recording in private homes.
Keeping your home private in an increasingly recorded world takes effort. You need to stay alert not just with tech giants, but with any company that might see your private life as another source of data. For more information about digital rights and privacy, the Electronic Frontier Foundation offers helpful resources.