Champaign Voices

Smart Homes Keep Locking Owners Out; Owners Keep Calling It Progress

Published: May 12, 2026

Connected locks and apps failed in widely shared incidents, stranding people outside houses they technically still owned in the offline sense. What do you think?

“My key doesn't need an update.”
Earl Fraley, Spare Key Under Fake Rock Traditionalist
“I was locked out of my own life by a 404 error.”
Sharon Hedges, Password Reset Therapist
“Smart is fine. Dumb backup is required.”
Nadine Kizer, Neighbor With a Ladder