A major human rights group has expressed concerns over the potential use of voice controlled technology by Gardaí.
Devices such as Amazon's Alexa and Google Nest are capable of recording at all times and the Irish Times reports the technology could be used as a means of collecting evidence by officers investigating a crime.
Next month, the Department of Justice will publish the Digital Recordings Bill, which provides for Gardaí's use of body worn cameras and drones but does not mention Alexa-like devices.
The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission says the uses of surveillance tech must be set out explicitly and subjected to "effective scrutiny".
