Wyze Cam V2
Wyze
Wi-Fi
If you've got $20 burning a hole in your pocket and have always wanted an HD, night vision, motion detecting, time-lapse, continuous recording video camera with two-way audio that meets our minimum security standards, well, here you go! This little camera really does seem to have it all--as long as you have a microSD card for recording. Baby cam, pet cam, security cam, surveillance cam, game cam, cam cam--whatever cam you want. It works with Alexa and Google Assistant too. Going all Big Brother has never been cheaper.
What could happen if something goes wrong?
It doesn't really matter if Wyze says they won't sell the personal information they collect on you with this cheap security cam if they don't do a good job of securing that personal information where they store it. In December 2019, Wyze databases holding millions of customers' information were exposed to the public. This is bad. Should you trust Wyze with your personal information? You can and you'll likely be OK. But if they don't step up and do a better job securing video from your home, email address, or even audio requests, some bad person could access that info and learn a whole lot about you. What's the worst that could happen? Getting spied on in your own home sounds pretty bad. Perhaps it's not likely to happen. It's also not out of the question.
Can it snoop on me?
Camera
Device: Yes
App: Yes
Microphone
Device: Yes
App: Yes
Tracks location
Device: Yes
App: Yes
What can be used to sign up?
Yes
Phone
No
Third-party account
No
What data does the company collect?
Personal
Name, email, password, birth year, gender
Body related
Voice recordings
Social
How does the company use this data?
How can you control your data?
What is the company’s known track record of protecting users’ data?
In December 2019, Wyze databases holding millions of customers' information were exposed to the public.
Can this product be used offline?
User-friendly privacy information?
Links to privacy information
Does this product meet our Minimum Security Standards?
Encryption
The live video feed and other communications are encrypted between the camera and the server.
Strong password
Security updates
Manages vulnerabilities
You can submit security vulnerabilities to Wyze: https://wyze.com/security-report
Privacy policy
The privacy statement mentions audio data, but there's no explanation of what is being collected and what happens to it.
Does the product use AI?
Wyze's new AI person detection system became available in September 2020, but from October 6, 2020 customers will have to start a subscription to continue using the feature.
Is this AI untrustworthy?
What kind of decisions does the AI make about you or for you?
Is the company transparent about how the AI works?
Does the user have control over the AI features?
Dive Deeper
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Wyze camera data leak: How to secure your account right nowCNET
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Wyze Cam subscriptions: What you need to know about October 9 service changeGear Brain
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Wyze will try pay-what-you-want model for its AI-powered person detectionNick Statt
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