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If smart home devices are being used to create unsafe conditions (extreme temperatures, locked doors), contact police.
Controlling Your Home Through Smart Devices
Someone uses smart home technology to control your living environment — changing heating/cooling, locking/unlocking doors, turning utilities on and off, or creating an uncomfortable or unsafe home.
What You Might Notice
Temperature, lighting, or appliances change without your input
The heating turns off in winter, or lights turn on and off at night.
Smart locks change codes or lock you in/out
You can't get in or out of your home, or the codes keep changing.
The other person controls these devices remotely after separation
They retain admin access to home systems after moving out.
What You Can Do
Identify who controls the smart home accounts
Determine which devices are connected and who has admin access.
Factory reset smart home devices
This removes all previous connections. Set them up fresh.
The other person may notice devices going offline.
Contact your utility providers to separate accounts
Ensure you have independent control of electricity, gas, and internet.
Important: This resource provides general information, not personal advice. Every situation is different. The actions suggested here may not be safe in your specific circumstances — particularly if the person causing harm could notice changes to your devices or accounts. Always consider your physical safety first.
If you need personalised support, contact 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732) or your local specialist domestic violence service. If you are in immediate danger, call 000.
Controlling heating, cooling, electricity, water, locks, lighting, or other utilities through smart home systems to coerce, punish, or make the home environment hostile. Perpetrator with administrative access can remotely control living conditions, creating physical discomfort or danger.
The TFA Matrix is a research framework under active development. Technique classifications, detection methods, and mitigations reflect current understanding and are subject to revision. This framework does not constitute forensic methodology, legal evidence standards, or clinical diagnostic criteria. Practitioners should apply professional judgement appropriate to their discipline and jurisdiction.