The FBI has warned that owners could use doorbell cameras to monitor police activity. As reported by The Verge instead of being used to watch for criminals they could be alerting owners to police searches.
This is not the first security issue to arise from these doorbell cameras. However, before this, it has been the owners suffering. Back in January, it was revealed that Amazon’s Ring doorbell app had leaked user data to third parties.
Prior to this Ring had to fix a security issue in 2019. This stopped users Wi-Fi credentials from becoming exposed. However, this is a different issue entirely that concerns the way individuals are using these doorbell cameras for criminal means.
FBI investigation reveals criminal use of doorbell cameras
The analysis conducted in 2019 showed various ways police and the FBI could use doorbell surveillance footage. However, it also hinted at ‘new challenges’ to these devices. Primarily involving sensor- and camera-equipped smart home devices.
This specifically links to the fact that a doorbell camera could give an individual an early warning of the approach of police officers. The report also noted these cameras could give locations away in a standoff. It also noted issues with owners capturing images of officers which could present “a risk to their present and future safety.”
The FBI investigation also pointed to an incident in 2017. Here the police approached a property to search the premises but because of the doorbell camera in place, the owner contacted his neighbour and landlord about the intentions of the FBI.
On top of this, the FBI think that the owner may have used the camera to “monitor law enforcement activity”. This is a problem given companies pitch these cameras as more mainstream devices.
In the past, the companies involved have also created controversy for the information they provide law enforcement. At one stage, Ring had offered law enforcement a ‘heat map’ showing the concentration of cameras in an area.
The company has also partnered with hundreds of law enforcement agencies to help encourage users to hand over the footage.
Critics argue that this involvement undermines the privacy of individuals who own these cameras. However, this most recent investigation shows that the FBI has similar concerns, ironically when it comes to images capture of their officers.
Despite this, generally, the FBI had more positive than negative things to say about these doorbell cameras. Overall, they offer more good than harm to law enforcement agencies. This report was more about highlighting any potential issues that could arise.