Arlo Security Cams

Arlo Security Cams

Arlo
Wi-Fi

Review date: Nov. 8, 2021

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Mozilla says

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People voted: Somewhat creepy

Arlo security cameras include the standard indoor and outdoor models with HD video, two-way talk, and motion detection. And recently they added an indoor security cam with what they call "privacy shield" wihich is an automated features that covers the camera when you tell it to. They also sell a video camera that works over cellular data designed to be taken anywhere for mobile surveillance. Which, yeah, sounds kinda creepy. All in all, Arlo's security cams allow for a whole lot of watching, which is what they are designed to do. Their Arlo Secure subscriptions are required to give you things like cloud storage, theft protection, and the Plus plan gets you 24/7 emergency response.

What could happen if something goes wrong?

We kinda love Arlo for a few reasons. First off, on International Privacy Day in 2019 they proudly proclaimed they will not share or sell or monetize their users' data in any way. It was a bit of a dig at Amazon’s Ring--who was in the midst of dealing with a number of public privacy concerns. We'll take some trolling of Ring to get great user privacy protections from Arlo. Another thing we kinda love about Arlo is they are honest about privacy on the internet. We wish more companies had this sort of honesty in their privacy policy, "While we use reasonable and appropriate security measures, the Internet is not 100% secure. We cannot promise that your use of our sites will be completely safe. We encourage you to use caution when using the Internet." Yes! We also encourage you to always use caution when using the internet.

While Arlo does seem to take your privacy seriously, and hopefully they do as much work behind the scenes as they do with their PR around that, these are still video cams that record video to the Cloud on the internet, so be careful. Arlo does collect a bit of your personal information — standard things like name, email, and product usage data. This is of no great concern to us. They do say that if you access your Arlo account with a Facebook login, they might collect more personal information. Facebook also might collect more personal information on you too. Please don’t access your accounts with your Facebook login people, it’s just not a smart privacy decision.

Tips to protect yourself

  • Use the SD card in case of unstable Internet connection
  • Consider using a privacy shield on your Arlo camera
  • mobile

Can it snoop on me? information

Camera

Device: Yes

App: Yes

Microphone

Device: Yes

App: Yes

Tracks location

Device: Yes

App: Yes

What can be used to sign up?

What data does the company collect?

How does the company use this data?

Arlo does not sell users' data, Arlo reserves the right to share the data for non-specified purposes, under user's consent. If you access your Arlo account using Facebook, they say, "If you access our Services using your Facebook account login, we may receive Personal Information about you such as your name, email address, and gender. Any Personal Information that we collect from your Facebook account may depend on your Facebook account’s privacy settings."

How can you control your data?

You can remove or delete your account. You can request access or deletion of data, if you happen to be a European or Californian resident. For others, no retention details nor data deletion rules are stated in the policy.

What is the company’s known track record of protecting users’ data?

Average

No known incidents in the last 3 years.

Can this product be used offline?

No

User-friendly privacy information?

Yes

Arlo has a privacy pledge in addition to the legal privacy policy.

Links to privacy information

Does this product meet our Minimum Security Standards? information

Yes

Encryption

Yes

Strong password

Yes

2-step verification is required.

Security updates

Yes

Manages vulnerabilities

Yes

Arlo has a bug bounty program, which means that anyone who finds a security issue and discloses it responsibly may get paid. https://bugcrowd.com/arlo

Privacy policy

Yes

Does the product use AI? information

Yes

Is this AI untrustworthy?

Can’t Determine

What kind of decisions does the AI make about you or for you?

Arlo security cameras alert you when important motion is detected and filter out everyday movement. With the Arlo Person Detection feature, you receive real-time alerts when people approach your home.

Is the company transparent about how the AI works?

Can’t Determine

Does the user have control over the AI features?

Yes

*privacy not included

Dive Deeper

  • Arlo Essential Indoor Security Camera Review: When privacy is a priority
    Digital Trends
  • Arlo takes dig at Ring on International Data Privacy Day
    Rik Henderson
  • What are the Arlo Smart advanced object detection features?
    Arlo

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