Ring doorbells and fitness trackers used to stalk victims in the UK
Key Points
- MPs have launched an inquiry into technology-facilitated abuse in the UK.
- Ring doorbells, smart speakers and fitness trackers are named as tracking tools.
- Refuge's tech abuse referrals rose by more than 62% in 2025.
- The inquiry will test whether the Online Safety Act is keeping pace.
- The deadline for written evidence is 4 November 2026.
MPs have launched an inquiry into abusers using Ring doorbells and fitness trackers to stalk victims in the UK.
The Science and Technology Committee announced the inquiry on Wednesday (7 October). It said abusers are turning smart devices such as Ring doorbells, smart speakers and fitness trackers against victims to track and abuse them.
Referrals to Refuge’s specialist Technology Facilitated Abuse and Economic Empowerment team rose by more than 62% in 2025, the committee said. Refuge is one of the UK’s largest domestic abuse charities.
The inquiry will examine how digital technologies enable stalking, harassment, coercive control, fraud and non-consensual intimate image abuse. The committee said it will look at several areas, including:
- The nature, scale and impact of technology-facilitated abuse;
- How technology companies and the government are responding to these risks;
- The role of digital platforms in enabling, detecting and preventing abuse;
- The effectiveness of current regulatory and technical interventions;
- The challenges posed by new technologies and connected devices;
- Whether the gender divide in technology is worsening or limiting abuse.
The government has tackled some forms of technology-facilitated abuse through its violence against women and girls strategy and the Online Safety Act 2023. The committee said recent cases have raised questions about whether existing legal and regulatory frameworks remain fit for purpose.
The inquiry will focus primarily on digital abuse and the systemic role of online platforms.
“Technology can empower and protect its users, but it also has the potential to create new ways for people – particularly women and girls – to be abused,” said Chi Onwurah, Chair of the Science and Technology Committee.
Onwurah said the committee will examine whether current legislation is keeping pace with these harms. It will also look at what responsibilities technology companies and online platforms have to prevent abuse.
“I encourage anyone with expertise in this area to submit evidence to our inquiry and inform our work,” she said.
