From the article:
The consumer champion Which? found companies appear to be gathering far more data than is needed for products to function. This includes smart TVs that ask for users’ viewing habits and a smart washing machine that requires people’s date of birth. Rocio Concha, director of policy and advocacy at Which?, said: “Consumers have already paid for smart products, in some cases thousands of pounds, so it is excessive that they have to continue to ‘pay’ with their personal information.”
It amazes me that anyone will fill in their actual date of birth on an online system outside of a government or bank system. Just put a fake one in, no one is going to check! Jeez.
I use this for just about every non-official (e.g. govmt or banking) account I set up.
The vehicles these people own are rather implausible! In 3 tries I got a Ferrari F355, 1994 Renault Espace, and 1995 Toyota Previa.