The security of some Ring devices has been called into question in the past, and according to NordVPN more than 3000 Ring users’ credentials ended up online in 2019 following credential stuffing attacks.Īlthough this was caused by users reusing credentials that were affected by previous breaches rather than a security issue at the company itself, it may affect customers’ confidence in such products, especially those with access to their homes.Īnd last year, the revelation that Amazon had partnered with hundreds US law enforcement agencies to allow Ring doorbell owners to provide footage to aid criminal investigations raised additional privacy concerns. Smart devices can also create a new vector for cyber attacks. Home security versus the threat of home invasion “With the introduction of the Always Home Cam, Amazon and Ring have accelerated that vision and over time I expect to see more examples of home assistant robots and drones from numerous consumer electronics companies over the next two years”. “A year ago, when I predicted that we’d eventually see home robotics progressing from the increasingly ubiquitous robot vacuum cleaner to autonomous robot assistants that would move around your house to allow users to check if what was going on if a sensor was triggered or a smoke alarm went off, I assumed it would be several years before such a device would come to fruition,” he said. However, considering the advancement of smart home devices, Wood is not surprised Amazon has chosen to go down this route and believes it could pave the way for more similar devices in the home. He added that Amazon will have to “reassure” customers that the device won’t fly into things or people. When docked, the Always Home Cam has its camera concealed in its holder, and it is designed to work when occupants are out of the house.” “Although the Always Home Cam is likely to be a magnet for privacy concerns, it is arguably a better solution than some of Amazon’s other devices, such as the Echo Show, which have a front facing camera that is always exposed. However, it is also likely to provoke a huge discussion around privacy and the future role of technology in the home.” I expect it to generate a huge amount of interest from technology enthusiasts who are typically the people who embrace smart home technology first. “The Always Home Cam is an incredibly ambitious device that will seem like something from a science fiction movie for many consumers. But although nearly 30% of smart homes are equipped with surveillance cameras according to Strategy Analytics, the concept of a security drone may simply be a step too far for some consumers.īen Wood, chief of research at CCS Insight predicts that the device may be a “magnet for privacy concerns”: The physical blocking of the camera when the device is inactive may go some way to address this, as well as the news that the Ring App will now have end-to-end encryption later this year. Campaign group Big Brother Watch described the device as “arguably Amazon’s most chilling surveillance product yet” in a tweet.īox CEO Aaron Levie also tweeted “If 2020 wasn’t already dystopian enough for you, Amazon just announced an indoor flying drone camera.” However, this has not stopped inevitable privacy concerns from being raised. The device is also designed to make a noise while flying so it is clear when it is in motion.įrom a safety perspective, the Always Home Cam is also programmed with obstacle avoidance technology and its lightweight design means it can safely fly through the home. It also cannot be manually controlled, only flying along pre-set routes. Regarding privacy, the company said that the camera is physically blocked while docked, and only starts recording while flying. If the Ring Alarm is triggered while the homeowner is away, the Always Home Cam drone will automatically fly along a preset path. The $249 product, due to launch in the US later this year, can be integrated with Ring Alarm, Amazon’s home security system. The autonomous indoor security camera rests in a base while not flying, and can fly along predetermined routes set by the user, meaning different areas of the home can be checked, with the live footage streamed via the Ring app.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |