A Doorbell Camera Company Is Uploading And Storing Faces Without Permission?
This article is more than 2 years old
Facebook is not the only company that is misusing data that could personally identify users. Eufy, a security system company that offers doorbell cameras, is supposedly uploading pictures of people without their permission. This is not only a violation of their own selling proposal but official data protection regulations.
Eufy doorbell cameras are the latest to be questioned as to whether or not the company is uploading photos and personal data onto the cloud without encryption. Doorbell cameras are on a large number of doors throughout the world. The idea is to protect homeowners and be able to identify criminals and people with mal-intent if necessary.
Despite the claims regarding their doorbell cameras, Eufy says that they are in full compliance with regulations regarding data protection. The company claims that the data they collect is only used for notifications. The General Data Protection Regulation department thinks otherwise.
According to TechRadar, Paul Moore, a data researcher, has discovered questionable practices by Eufy regarding the data that is collected by their doorbell cameras. It appears as though the company is still keeping data even after users delete it from the app. Additionally, data is being stored in a way that allows images to be held with usernames and personal information, making this information available to quickly identify people.
As Paul Moore continued his research, he also discovered that video from the doorbell cameras could be viewed through a web browser without needing a password or other protective software. Camera videos with specific encryption could easily be hacked. The data security researcher posted his findings in s string of tweets.
Eufy responded to the findings of Paul Moore regarding the company’s doorbell cameras in a vague way. The company claimed to have fixed some of the issues and offered nothing else in direct regard to the matter. Eufy stands behind its statement regarding being in full compliance with data protection regulations.
Doorbell cameras came out in 2013 and have grown in popularity as nearly five million people opt to use them now. Eufy was founded in 201l6 and claimed to make smart homes simpler. The company offers a variety of products, including appliances and security devices.
Many doorbell camera makers have faced similar issues and often meet privacy concerns in other ways. Oftentimes, neighbors raise concerns about privacy and even take legal action. Generally speaking, doorbell cameras are not an invasion of privacy. In some cases, owners of doorbell cameras misuse their devices, and this is an entirely separate privacy concern.
Personal data collection and the unethical use and storage of the gathered information is a growing phenomenon. Not only users of security cameras but anyone with a smartphone or electronic device and who uses the internet should be concerned about data safety.
Eufy claims to be a leader and one of the most trusted brands for consumer electronics in the United States. The latest allegations against the company make that claim questionable. So many people rely on companies to handle sensitive information in an ethical way, and way too often, companies mishandle this sensitive information.
