Video Doorbell Privacy Issues
Video Doorbells In the News
Video doorbells are one of the hottest home security tools on the market today. We agree. Once you have a video doorbell, you’ll probably wonder how you ever lived without it. Check out our blog on How a Video Doorbell Works to learn more.
However, like any technology on the market today, privacy issues continue to be a significant concern and video doorbell companies have come under scrutiny for some of their privacy practices.
A video doorbell is like caller ID for your front door. A camera turns on when someone rings your doorbell or movement is detected by the front door. You can log in to an app on your smartphone and view a live feed of the person at the door.
Many video doorbell systems also record footage of visitors who approach your door while you’re away from home or unable to answer the door. Most popular commercial video doorbell systems don’t offer local storage for recorded video, so you must subscribe to a cloud service for a monthly fee to view your recorded clips. Monthly subscriptions are what drive their revenue.
You believe you are the only one who has access to view your recorded video footage, particularly if you have an encrypted Wi-Fi network. However, it turns out, you may not be, and that is why some video doorbell companies have been in the news of late.
Security researchers discovered flaws in some video doorbell devices that left the systems exposed to hackers. Hackers could easily see and hear audio and video transmitted by the video doorbell.
Another issue recently discovered: the terms of service agreements for some video doorbell companies include clauses that allow employees at the video doorbell companies to view your videos. Granted, it is usually for training purposes or to help improve service, but it is still disconcerting for many consumers. Especially when there are reports about video doorbell employees annotating footage with actions like “kissing, firing guns, and stealing.”
Additionally, it was reported that unencrypted video and audio transmissions were being viewed by employees of these video doorbell companies even though the terms of service did not explicitly give the company that right.
If the company housing your recorded video is accessing your video, how can they use it?
While you may be comfortable with your video being used for training or product improvement processes, some homeowners were up in arms earlier this year when they discovered their videos were being used for advertisements.
Users had opted-in to an alert service that showed the faces of suspected criminals around the country. What they didn’t realize was that the fine print granted the video doorbell companies an unlimited, irrevocable, fully paid and royalty-free, perpetual, worldwide rights to exploit Shared Content for any purpose.
The bottom line is that you must be your own advocate for the privacy of your information. Do not sign contracts without carefully reading them. Remember that anything transmitted over Wi-Fi or stored in the cloud is susceptible to hacking if it is not encrypted. It’s up to you to do your research and choose to work with companies who are known for their strong privacy practices, data encryption methods, and who have not had reported breaches of their security measures.
If you want to read more about the privacy battles brewing over video doorbells, check out The Washington Post’s article, The doorbells have eyes: The privacy battle brewing over home security cameras. There is some excellent information in here about how to be a responsible video doorbell owner, as well as some of the current privacy debates that are brewing.
Explore Our Other Blogs
7 NFPA Codes Every Business Should Know
Business owners have an enormous responsibility to ensure their employees and customers are protected from fire hazards. Companies in industries like manufacturing and property management each face unique challenges in preventing fires and meeting code requirements. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), one of the world’s leading experts in fire and life safety, has published…
Livly: A Modern Residential Community Experience
The Livly property and tenant management system is one of the most cutting-edge and all-inclusive apartment app experiences available today. The system offers low-cost technology and fully integrated experiences that pair well with a variety of existing property management systems. As a proud partner with Livly, FSS Technologies offers this trusted technology solution for both…
What are the Best Outdoor Security Cameras?
Outdoor security cameras do more than record what happens around a property—they help you see clearly, respond faster, and document events when you need answers. Whether you’re protecting your home’s front porch and driveway or monitoring your company’s parking lot, loading dock, or perimeter gate, the “best” outdoor security camera is the one that fits…
Can Video Surveillance Be Used In Court?
You should talk to a law enforcement professional in your area to know for sure what is admissible in your local court, but here are some general guidelines about criteria that law enforcement will take into consideration regarding your security camera video. Authenticity A digital watermark is undetectable to the human eye, but it can…
Can I Install Monitored Security in My Apartment?
The most recent FBI data estimates that there are over 1.2 million burglaries a year, resulting in around $3.4 billion in property loss. Although property crime as a whole has been on the decline, the rise in popularity of video doorbells and more comprehensive and integrated home security systems shows that Americans are no less…
Fire Systems for the Restaurant Industry
Companies in varying industries face fire hazards in their standard operations to a certain degree. Businesses that operate commercial kitchens, however, are at significant risk for fire-related hazards because cooking equipment is a leading cause of commercial fires. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, an estimated 50% of non-residential fires were caused by cooking in…
What to Do If a Package Is Stolen
According to a recent study, nearly one in four people report being a victim of package theft and nearly half know someone who has had a package stolen. Of course, the uptick in package theft is not that surprising, considering consumers purchased $2.86 trillion in online retail goods in& 2018. Many of these items land squarely in…
How Savance Workplace Can Work for You
Savance Workplace is one of the nation’s leaders in workforce management solutions, offering tools that help declutter your company’s processes and optimize your productivity. With a wide variety of fully customizable products branded for your business, Savance Workplace can help your organization take its efficiency to the next level. As a trusted partner of Savance…
The Safest Neighborhoods in Detroit
Low-Crime Neighborhoods of Detroit SafeWise released its rankings of Michigan’s 20 Safest Cities of 2021. On the 2021 list, 9 of the 20 cities are considered suburbs of Detroit. They include: Gross Ile Township #3 Oakland Township #4 Huntington Woods #9 South Lyon #13 Addison Township #16 Highland Township #17 Rochester #18 Berkley #19 Brandon Township…
What Is CCTV Footage?
CCTV stands for closed-circuit television, in which video cameras transmit a signal to a specific, limited set of monitors. Wired and wireless cameras in a CCTV system are usually used for surveillance and security purposes. The footage can help prevent crime, aid in the capture of a suspect if an offense occurs, or serve as…