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
3 Ways to Prevent Shoplifting
Preventing shoplifting is a big deal if you’re a retailer. According to the 2018 National Retail Security Survey, shoplifting continues to be the leading cause of inventory loss for retailers. Loss of stock is a big deal in this country to the tune of nearly $47 billion. The survey also identifies the top ways retailers try…
7 Ways Home Monitoring Keeps Your Pets Safe
Your family’s safety is at the forefront of your mind when installing a security system, and that includes your pets as well. When researching a security product that suits your needs, consider the ways that this technology can help your pets stay safe too. We have detailed some of the most common hazards as well…
Is the Use of CCTV Cameras in the Workplace Illegal?
Know the Law Business owners are responsible for the security and well-being of their employees and company property. Many companies use technology such as cameras, motion detectors, and other tools to keep an eye on their building or cash areas. Many new businesses and employees may be wondering: Are CCTV cameras illegal in the workplace? Let’s…
Winter Commercial Fire Safety Tips
While fire safety and prevention are crucial year-round, unique fire hazards accompany winter’s freezing temperatures. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reports that many holiday-related factors contribute to an increased fire risk during the winter months, and commercial settings are just as vulnerable. Besides creating and reviewing company-wide fire safety procedures, here are 4 tips…
Can a Security System Save My Business Money?
If you’re a business owner, you know the importance of weighing the pros and cons of major purchases before making them. A commercial security system is one of the higher-ticket items that can cause the most significant hesitation. While they can take large investments to purchase, install, and maintain, security systems can offer long-term savings…
7 Tips For Small Business Security
We hope it never happens to you, but workplace crime is something that all business owners should be prepared to encounter. With one-third of our life spent at work, it is an important place to secure and monitor for your safety, and that of your employees. Luckily, there are many simple, proactive steps you can…
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…
Reasons to Choose a Local Security Company
Whether you’re considering investing in a home or commercial security system or switching providers, you may be weighing local and national companies. Which companies can you trust? Is there a difference in service between your options? Does a larger company necessarily mean better service? There are pros and cons to both sizes of company, but…
What is an Emergency Action Plan?
The purpose of an Emergency Action Plan is to inform employees of what actions they should take if an emergency occurs at work. It’s required by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and it can be critical in preventing the loss of property, or lives, in a crisis. If an emergency alarm went off…
3 Types of Security Lights
Your security system is only useful if you can see what is going on when you can’t be there. This also means that when it gets dark, your cameras need to be able to capture the image clearly. To do this past dusk will require that you set up security lighting. Additionally, check out the…