Blink Security Cameras
Review date: 11/02/2020
Amazon's other line of security cameras--they also own Ring--are these indoor and outdoor Blink security cams. They come in a mini-cam, an indoor cam, and an outdoor cam and feature all the usual: HD video, two-way audio, motion detection and night vision. It's Amazon, so of course these work with Alexa. And they use the tag line, "Just Blink and you're home," which seems a little odd but hey, if it's a Wizard of Oz reference, why not?
What could happen if something goes wrong
Blink was acquired by Amazon in Dec 2017. Amazon's other security camera maker--Ring--has had a plethora of privacy issues they've had to deal with over the past couple years. Blink is not Ring. Blink does not sell users' information. And Blink cameras don't easily work on the Ring Neighbors app that has raised concerns for us around public safety and racism. You can manually upload a video to Neighbors app, but you can do that with any video. All in all, these Blink security cameras don't worry us too much.
Privacy
Can it snoop on me?
Camera
Device: Yes
App: Yes
Microphone
Device: Yes
App: Yes
Tracks Location
Device: Yes
App: Yes
What is required to sign up?
Yes
Phone
No
Third party account
No
What data does it collect?
Personal
Name, email, phone number, address
Biometric
Social
How does it use this data?
How can you control your data?
What is the company’s known track record for protecting users’ data?
In December 2019, Blink fixed a security flaw that would allow hackers to hijack the camera.
Can this product be used offline?
User friendly privacy information?
Links to privacy information
Security
Does this product meet our Minimum Security Standards?
Encryption
Strong password
2-step verification is required for all logins.
Security updates
Manages vulnerabilities
Amazon encourages responsible reporting for security vulerabilities. For Blink, security researchers can report a vulnerability by emailing [email protected]
