Technological advances have changed the way we shop, communicate and even the way we watch television or movies. Now it is even beginning to change the way we masturbate and

have sex with our partners. Some of the biggest advances have been in how couples share their most intimate moments both when they are together and when they are apart.

The company SVAKOM recently released a Wi-Fi enabled vibrator called Siime Eye that could take pictures or video in order for couples to share the experience. These images and videos could be saved to a computer or even streamed live for couples who wanted to experience interactive play even when they couldn’t be together.

But shortly after this new techno version of the old-school vibrator was released, people began reporting that the device could be hacked. The vibrator came with a default password which people did not always change. This left the device extremely vulnerable to hacking and, sure enough, news outlets like the BBC and Daily Mail began running stories on just how easy the device was to hack into.

Couples who had already bought the Siime Eye vibrator were understandably concerned. These revelations came shortly after another company had actually had to pay out over breaches in information and access.

The Canadian firm Standard Innovation had previously released the We-Vibe sex toy. The We-Vibe was – and still is – billed as the ultimate versatile sex toy for couples. The flexible vibrator can stimulate a woman’s G-spot as well as her clitoris during sex. Needless to say, it was a true game changer for many couples.

The We-Vibe also comes in several models, each with enhanced web capabilities. The most advanced model, the We-Vibe Sync, offers a host of special features under the We-Connect app for use on the couple’s smart phones. Using the app, a partner can control the intensity from anywhere in the world. They can also create custom “vibration playlists” or set it to vibrate and change intensity based on the beat of the music.

But for all these bells and whistles, there was a serious issue lurking beneath the surface. Once it was released, it was revealed that the company had been storing the details of how and when couples had been using the devices. The company was storing information on the heat and intensity setting couples used as well as how frequently they turned their devices on and how long they used them in each session.

Needless to say, with information of such a personal nature being stores, users were upset. Eventually, a class action lawsuit was filed and Standard Innovation had to pay out $3.75 million to customers in payments ranging from $199 to $10,000 each.

These cases illustrate not only how far sex toys have come, but also the dangers associated with these advancements. Couples who want to include the best technological options to their lovemaking have always taken a certain amount of risk. After all, naked photos and sex tapes have been getting leaked and making headlines for years now. But that doesn’t mean people are ready to accept these kinds of breaches of privacy as the new normal.

If anything, these lawsuits and hacks will eventually improve the sex toy market. After all, when it comes to new technology, there are always issues that need to be worked out before they begin to perform better and become increasingly secure. In the meantime, the companies behind these products and experts in a field all agree that changing passwords and using better encryption and protection on your Wi-Fi network is the best way to keep your private life private.