Privacy in Home: Is Your Camera Footage Secure?
How security camera footage is kept secure, plus privacy best practices
How security camera footage is kept secure, plus privacy best practices
Security camera footage privacy is a concern for many homeowners. And rightly so — no one should have to feel like they are giving up their privacy to feel safe. Luckily, if you bought your security camera from a vetted provider, your camera footage will be encrypted and kept safe with strict security protocols.
Reputable security camera providers encrypt your data both while it’s in transit (being transmitted from the camera to the cloud) and during storage.
Encryption makes your data unreadable to hackers who may want to intercept it. Here at Arlo we use military-grade encryption to protect camera feeds and other customer data.
The best security companies stay one step ahead in innovation and safety, constantly improving their security protocols so your data is secure.
Make sure to promptly install any and all updates rolled out by your providers because they’re usually meant to resolve bugs and close doors to hackers.
Arlo security experts (and security experts at other reputable providers) test security systems often and scan for suspicious activities in the firmware code.
Setting up a 2-step login process for customer accounts (like typing in a code from an app, a text message, or an email) adds an extra layer of protection if your password is stolen.
Flagging password changes, new devices logging in, and any other changes to your account via an email or text should be standard practice.
Legislation like the GDPR in the European Union and CCPA in California requires all companies handling consumer data to comply with basic data privacy laws. Security camera providers are covered under these laws.
Here at Arlo, we create and manage your account with the least amount of data collection possible. We also put you in control of how much data you want to share when selecting different services.
It should be simple to delete your data, including video footage (most of the time providers will delete or overwrite video footage after a certain number of days anyway). Providers should also make it easy to control any data sharing, including opt-outs for things like AI data training.
The lion’s share of your privacy protection falls on the security camera provider, but there are a few things you can do to keep your data safer.
Protect your security system account. Make up nonsensical passwords that would be impossible for anyone to guess but you can still recall. Avoid using names of family members, pets, or address numbers, as these can be easily discovered online by hackers.
Don’t ignore that little pop-up/extra step, when first creating your account. Setting up 2-step authentication helps security providers make sure it’s actually you logging into your account and looking at camera footage. This typically requires you to type in a code sent to your phone or email or in an authenticator app.
Much like with your account password, set a strong, unguessable password for your home Wi-Fi and don’t keep it taped to your router or anywhere else it can be easily discovered.
Many times hackers get people to give away their information through social engineering — sending fake emails or texts, or calling you while impersonating a security company. Be cautious of any communication you receive that requires you to divulge private information or requires urgent action.
A security camera pointing to a neighbor’s bedroom window or backyard can lead to complaints and stressful conflict. Be as mindful of other’s privacy as you’re of your own when installing a camera.
Here at Arlo we don’t monetize client data. Make sure to ask your potential provider how they manage customer data and whether or not they profit from selling client data to third parties.
Arlo doesn’t use customer data to train AI without permission and discloses information to law enforcement only when legally required. You should be able to ask how your data is being used, who has access to it, and how to revoke it at any time.
SOC II is a widely recognized security standard for all companies that manage customer data digitally. PCI compliance is a security standard for companies that handle customer credit card data. Since security camera providers fall into both of these categories, they should be able to provide SOC II and PCI certificates.
Only you should be able to see your security camera footage. Unless your plan includes professional monitoring (usually as part of a home security system), your security provider does not have access to your camera footage.
It depends on your security plan and camera. CCTV cameras and cameras with local-only storage (like an SD card) work on a loop. Most of the time you’ll have access to footage for a set number of days, after which the storage becomes full and the old footage is overwritten by new.
Wi-Fi cameras can store videos in a secure cloud for a specified number of days, after which they are permanently deleted.
Only if you request professional monitoring as part of a security plan subscription. Otherwise security provider employees can’t monitor your camera.
Yes, security camera footage can be used as evidence in court if you are required to provide it via a warrant or a subpoena, want to provide voluntarily, or if it was publicly shared (like on social media).
Security camera footage is considered private property, unless you have previously shared the footage on social media or some other public forum. You are required to provide it only under a warrant or a subpoena.
