So I am a reluctant user of cloud services anyway which is why I use HE to keep things (mostly) local but this seems like yet another red flag about using such products and services..
I would imagine that there are personnel at Eufy that can access this stuff as well. I'm not as worried if the cameras are outside.. I guess..
I wouldn't rely my security on newcomers especially if its using cloud.
Eufy is a brand by Anker, a very fast emerging Chinese company but not a company well established in security area. I do use their Soundcore headset.
I use Amcrest Doorbell made by Dahua regardless their controversial face recognition tech in identifying human race. Other indoor and outdoor cam are local to its NVR only.
I will never cease to be amazed by how aggressively all these companies are driving things to the cloud and even more so why people are so quick at trusting it. The whole concept to me has always been completely absurd: Why the heck would anyone send their camera stream outside their homes. Actually the same thing applies to the entire IOT concept. Smarthomes or home control and automation, yes. Doing anything in the cloud? Why? Why would my command need to go from my phone or any of my devices, travel who knows how far, get processed to be sent back to my home? It is slower, less reliable, efficient, private or secure. Why? besides becoming dependent on the owner of the service, what benefit does it provide? A lot of people jump into it for the sake of convenience but... at what cost? A local platform can be at least as convenient/easy to use if done properly. If you want to avoid these problems, stop buying all these cloud based junk and support the local platforms instead! All my cameras are local only (amcrest/dahua do phone home by the way so you better make sure you block them) and got rid of Alexa, nest, google anything, ecobee, ring, skybell etc... replacing all of them with much improved localized devices.
One of the reasons I went for the Eufy Doorbell (wireless) is that it doesn't go near the cloud as all clips are stored on the Homebase. Also improves the response time. Of course if the doorbell is rung and I answer it on my phone while out the it is streaming over the internet, but that isn't stored - is it?
I don't own the Eufy myself but any hint of cloud access is a concern I would think. I prefer to use a VPN for my remote access and generally have cloud stuff turned off if possible. Having said that I am using Alexa in our kitchen and the Ring Doorbell/Floodlights outside. I am looking for a better camera solution though - thought Eufy might do the trick but now not so sure.
Fair question. Some people simply do not care if someone else can see their doorbell or external camera feeds. I'm actually one of those people. Others are simply ignorant of the risks and considerations.
And if you have the time and know-how to do so...
Ok. That is your choice, and that's great. But most people are not interested in doing that.
Most people WANT Alexa/google home/Siri. At least that is what the adoption rate and data shows...
That's the unfortunate truth. At least for my clients it's a lot easier to recommend and support those cloud based devices... They just work and are very easy for the consumer to use. I do try and isolate things as much as possible though and make sure the client knows up front about the pitfalls.
^^^ This...I would never (and have never) put cloud-connected cams inside the house. Just not worth the risk of loss of privacy. And besides, no one should have to see me walking around in a t-shirt and bikini undies, that's just wrong.
I have a Eufy 2K Pan and Tilt at my front door (covered). Nice camera if it will stop failing (waiting on another replacement). I'm in the "couldn't care less about the unintended access of an outdoor camera" group. It's concerning, but not surprising. That camera does support HomeKit Secure Video if I really cared.
This is why cameras in the home are not a good idea if you don't want anyone to have a view inside your home. It wasn't an intentional error by Anker, and mistakes are not a new thing. Doesn't matter how much money or resources a company has. Mistakes can and will continue to occur. If you believe differently, then you really haven't been paying attention.
Same here...I do use cloud connected outside. Years back I was given a Ring spotlight cam and doorbell by a neighbor who sold his house and was moving (new owner wanted the home back to basics/original). Added a few more spotlight cams over time. As noted they suck you in by being extremely easy and for me have either always "just worked" w/out any coddling/effort, or one call to Ring and they'd send me a free chime pro (I got two free from them for cams at the farthest corners of the house) which resolved any connection issues.
Of course a glitch isolated to just your house is one thing but when it affects thousands or millions of people it's quite another - this is yet another big issue with cloud stuff.. privacy issues aside.
right, but it's all weighted by both the manufacturer and the consumer. One glitch, or a thousand. How about a million? Over time acceptance and complacency resolves what today is an "issue". Wasn't long ago I said myself that I would never have a microphone that could potentially allow someone to listen to my conversations inside my home. Now I have 10 of them that can potentially record all our conversations in range, with no interaction required.
Oh I am certainly agreeing with you... Having an Alexa in my house.
I guess part of the issue is with cloud based devices we don't really own the device. If Amazon stops their service (or there is a bug) the Echos are worthless or worse "dangerous" (in the exposing personal data sense).
The other part as I've mentioned before is we really don't know what the ramifications of giving away all our privacy means.. On the surface, seems harmless enough which is why many of us have no issues with incorporating such things into our personal lives...
We do have a gauge of that already, but we’re choosing to ignore it. I know for example, when my preferences for shopping show up where I didn’t expect it to be, I’ve given away more than intended
It’s the aggregation of data that is the issue. Not a single point or leak. That’s already far past the point of anonymity for most of us.