Nest Camera Gains Enhanced Spying Abilities

rgMekanic

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Owners of the Nest Cam IQ can look forward to a free update rolling out this week that will install Google Assistant on it. Ina report from the associated press, the update comes just 2 weeks after Nest moved back under Google's direct control instead of it's parent company Alphabet. While the voice-activated Google Assistant can already be used to control Nest devices, this is the first time people will be able to interact with it through a security camera.

I hope that Google at least makes this update optional for people that have this camera. The article also cites a patent from Google to use cameras in order to target advertisements based on the furniture in your house. Folks, I like gadgets too, but please stop paying hundreds of dollars for a wiretap. "Hey Google, does my butt look big in this?"

Privacy watchdogs are particularly worried that Google eventually may use some of the information collected from devices inside homes to get a better understanding of a person’s specific interests so it can sell ads for products that the targeted individual might like.
 
The only cameras and microphones in my home are contained in my phone, and it stays in a drawer until I need to leave the house. I find it mind-boggling that people are literally paying Google/Amazon/Apple etc for the opportunity to place surveillance devices into their homes. It's insane.
 
DECISG.gif

"Look at what I can do!"
 
It was pretty obvious the direction we were heading 5-10 years ago when social networking and selfies became so popular. We're definitely living in the 'look at me' generation.
 
I got into a discussion with a buddy at work who went Echo throughout his home. When asked about the fact it is always spying/listening, his response? "I don't care". sigh. He's also your typical Apple fanboi.

His ideals will change when he gets older.
 
The only cameras and microphones in my home are contained in my phone, and it stays in a drawer until I need to leave the house. I find it mind-boggling that people are literally paying Google/Amazon/Apple etc for the opportunity to place surveillance devices into their homes. It's insane.

I call bullshit on that one. Nobody "keeps their phone in a drawer" the entire time they are home. :LOL:
 
I'm not sure how this isn't a wiretap violation in some states. You can't just record audio and video of people (visitors in your house) without their consent or knowledge even if it is your home.
 
I'm not sure how this isn't a wiretap violation in some states. You can't just record audio and video of people (visitors in your house) without their consent or knowledge even if it is your home.

EULA strikes again?

I do agree with you though.
 
The only cameras and microphones in my home are contained in my phone, and it stays in a drawer until I need to leave the house. I find it mind-boggling that people are literally paying Google/Amazon/Apple etc for the opportunity to place surveillance devices into their homes. It's insane.

Bullshit. So did you put your landline in a drawer also?
 
EULA strikes again?

I do agree with you though.

I don't think the EULA can supersede State and Federal Law. I'm actually surprised that they don't ask you for your location data and enable or disable audio recording based on that.

Here's an example of someone local to me that was arrested for having video/audio in their place of business trying to protect their own interests (in theory).
 
I don't think the EULA can supersede State and Federal Law. I'm actually surprised that they don't ask you for your location data and enable or disable audio recording based on that.

Here's an example of someone local to me that was arrested for having video/audio in their place of business trying to protect their own interests (in theory).

Blocked by my work firewall for some reason. That being said I am surprised they didn't just put up signs that said "Audio and video surveillance in use. Entrance constitutes consent to being recorded". Now if they wanted to hide the fact...sure I could see how that would land you in trouble.
 
Blocked by my work firewall for some reason. That being said I am surprised they didn't just put up signs that said "Audio and video surveillance in use. Entrance constitutes consent to being recorded". Now if they wanted to hide the fact...sure I could see how that would land you in trouble.

Most people don't know any better (not that ignorance is an excuse for breaking the law). They just buy cameras and put them up without thinking about the legal ramifications of what they are doing, nor do they realize that a simple sign would have been enough to make it legal. I have a feeling that's what happened here.

My point was by using these enhanced Nest cameras in some locations people could be unwittingly breaking the law.
 
If you care about security, run your own system that you control where you have all the data & nobody else.
All these "cloud" connected things are at the whims of whatever new evil idea some technocrat comes up with.
 
I'm not sure how this isn't a wiretap violation in some states. You can't just record audio and video of people (visitors in your house) without their consent or knowledge even if it is your home.

The fuck I can't.

I wouldn't worry until the thing starts calling me Dave.
 
The only people I've ever seen using selfie sticks are the Japanese around here.

My wife waited on some 50'ish year old women, group of them. In a fine dining restaurant. What did they do? Break out a selfie stick. Talk about some "sighs" and SMH going on.
 
My wife waited on some 50'ish year old women, group of them. In a fine dining restaurant. What did they do? Break out a selfie stick. Talk about some "sighs" and SMH going on.

I honestly dont get the big hatred against selfies. If its not being intrusive to your life then why does it mater? Its probably safer than asking someone to take a picture for you with your phone. Be pretty sad to see them run away with it.

I have seen lots of people using these things and not once did anyone get in my way *shrug*. Maybe its just a few arseholes?
 
I got into a discussion with a buddy at work who went Echo throughout his home. When asked about the fact it is always spying/listening, his response? "I don't care". sigh. He's also your typical Apple fanboi.

His ideals will change when he gets older.

I have an Echo in each room of the house. I also have multiple wifi cameras, a Nest thermostat and smart TVs. I have philips hues in every room. I also have a smart watch that monitors my physical activity and sleep patterns. I love being connected to the internet 24/7, I love knowing that information is a simple voice command or finger swipe away. I really am one of those people with nothing to fear. I live a normal life just like everyone else and honestly don't see why I should be afraid of it. Everyone has the right to privacy, why shouldn't I have the right to willingly give it up? Equifax, Transunion, Equifax and OPM already did that for me anyway.
 
I have an Echo in each room of the house. I also have multiple wifi cameras, a Nest thermostat and smart TVs. I have philips hues in every room. I also have a smart watch that monitors my physical activity and sleep patterns. I love being connected to the internet 24/7, I love knowing that information is a simple voice command or finger swipe away. I really am one of those people with nothing to fear. I live a normal life just like everyone else and honestly don't see why I should be afraid of it. Everyone has the right to privacy, why shouldn't I have the right to willingly give it up? Equifax, Transunion, Equifax and OPM already did that for me anyway.

Same here, for the most part minus the sex cams... I mean wifi cameras :LOL: I wouldn't say I have anything to fear, but the things I want kept private are on a separate VLAN than all that other stuff. I am also very careful with my social media presence, and do most of my web browsing with Tor or Echo. Not that all of that is going to keep Amazon from selling any of my "metrics" that they've collected with Alexa, but it certainly limits the ease with which anyone can profit from or take advantage of that information. Its all about separation of concerns. I don't order anything, or have any skills tied to personal or private information, so most of the shit they will see from my Echo, is "Turn off bedroom light," "Lock the front door," or "Talk like a pirate" haha! :ROFLMAO:
 
I have a number of echo devices, no cameras though I find smart home functions very useful and will eventually add a Ring doorbell. These devices do have a mute button you know. I do think any camera device should have a shutter; a number of VOIP phones in business have that.

If someone at amazon wants to see what food I added to my grocery list or when basketball practice is I don't really give an F. People in this country are entirely too paranoid, nobody cares what you do.
 
The only cameras and microphones in my home are contained in my phone, and it stays in a drawer until I need to leave the house. I find it mind-boggling that people are literally paying Google/Amazon/Apple etc for the opportunity to place surveillance devices into their homes. It's insane.
The beauty of a PC webcam is that you can unplug it when you're not using it. If only we could do that with laptops, tablets and cellphones.
 
Owners of the Nest Cam IQ can look forward to a free update rolling out this week that will install Google Assistant on it. Ina report from the associated press, the update comes just 2 weeks after Nest moved back under Google's direct control instead of it's parent company Alphabet. While the voice-activated Google Assistant can already be used to control Nest devices, this is the first time people will be able to interact with it through a security camera.

I hope that Google at least makes this update optional for people that have this camera. The article also cites a patent from Google to use cameras in order to target advertisements based on the furniture in your house. Folks, I like gadgets too, but please stop paying hundreds of dollars for a wiretap. "Hey Google, does my butt look big in this?"

Privacy watchdogs are particularly worried that Google eventually may use some of the information collected from devices inside homes to get a better understanding of a person’s specific interests so it can sell ads for products that the targeted individual might like.


I think advertisers are fools to start with. How many times have I seen adds targeting a product I was looking at online but I wasn't actually shopping for the product. I got an email delivered add for Best Buy's president Day sale. I've been interested in buying a 40-43" TV to use for a computer monitor so these sales come up and I try and research the TVs to see if any would work for that purpose. I checked like 4 different TVs and not one was suitable for computer use. Now everywhere I go online including checking my email and that's what I get back, adds for those TVs that are precisely not what I want to buy.

Maybe they should wise the fuck up and if I look at several TVs maybe they should ask if I am looking to buy and what I am looking for, help me find what I want, and then put adds for suitable products in front of my face.

Idiots.
 
Same here, for the most part minus the sex cams... I mean wifi cameras :LOL: I wouldn't say I have anything to fear, but the things I want kept private are on a separate VLAN than all that other stuff. I am also very careful with my social media presence, and do most of my web browsing with Tor or Echo. Not that all of that is going to keep Amazon from selling any of my "metrics" that they've collected with Alexa, but it certainly limits the ease with which anyone can profit from or take advantage of that information. Its all about separation of concerns. I don't order anything, or have any skills tied to personal or private information, so most of the shit they will see from my Echo, is "Turn off bedroom light," "Lock the front door," or "Talk like a pirate" haha! :ROFLMAO:

All my cameras are outdoor save for 1 which is in the living room by the front door. They all run on on a local Synology server as well. Those Nest cameras are expensive and they want a monthly fee to store your footage, fuck that. As for social media, I really only use Facebook as a glorified messenger and nothing else; keeps long distance relatives from needing my phone number and making unsolicited calls. Not really one for posting on social media because I couldn't care less whats going on in everyone's social lives. I love using the Echo to play rain sounds while I am sleeping or reorder dog food, toilet paper, toothpaste, etc.. quickly on the spot without forgetting to do it later.
 
I don't think the EULA can supersede State and Federal Law. I'm actually surprised that they don't ask you for your location data and enable or disable audio recording based on that.

Here's an example of someone local to me that was arrested for having video/audio in their place of business trying to protect their own interests (in theory).

A few years back at my job we had some car break-ins that were happening overnight. It was suggested to install security cameras. My boss said no due to a number of liability laws entailed with their use. Something like this would seem to be one of them.
 
A few years back at my job we had some car break-ins that were happening overnight. It was suggested to install security cameras. My boss said no due to a number of liability laws entailed with their use. Something like this would seem to be one of them.

Security cameras are ok as long as you don't also record audio. It comes down to a "reasonable expectation of privacy." If you're in a public place (parking lot, etc.) you don't have a reasonable expectation of privacy. If you're in a friend's bathroom with a nest camera recording audio and video (extreme example), you have a reasonable expectation of privacy. Your boss would have been perfectly fine installing cameras.
 
I have a number of echo devices, no cameras though I find smart home functions very useful and will eventually add a Ring doorbell. These devices do have a mute button you know. I do think any camera device should have a shutter; a number of VOIP phones in business have that.

If someone at amazon wants to see what food I added to my grocery list or when basketball practice is I don't really give an F. People in this country are entirely too paranoid, nobody cares what you do.
Until 10 years from now when a new Stalinist regime and administration comes into power, and looks at everyone's records.
Then suddenly, you are being escorted to a federal prison because everything you thought you did right in this present-era is now considered very wrong in that era, and you are punished for it, severely.

Everyone thinks the current administration and their beliefs will remain in power forever.
The Obama administration ended and the Trump administration began when absolutely everyone said that would never happen, yet here we are.

Enjoy that "nothing to hide" belief it while it lasts! :D
 
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Security cameras are ok as long as you don't also record audio. It comes down to a "reasonable expectation of privacy." If you're in a public place (parking lot, etc.) you don't have a reasonable expectation of privacy. If you're in a friend's bathroom with a nest camera recording audio and video (extreme example), you have a reasonable expectation of privacy. Your boss would have been perfectly fine installing cameras.
Thanks for the info but off topic. . . .I was telling a co-worker about your avatar motto "why oh why" as we were in the midst of the usual paperwork piles and she burst into laughter and tears. I think we all know how that can feel now.
 
It's disturbing to realise that not everyone is exactly the same as you, isn't it?

Nope, what is disturbing is to realize all the nonsense people make up to sound like they are somehow enlightened. I once met a guy who also thought the government was spying on him through Ferrite Clamps, and covered all the infrared sensors on the devices in his house because he thought they were infecting his computer with a virus. Mind you, I don't care if you really do keep your cell phone in a drawer the entire time your home, but your feeble attempt to insult me by implying that you are somehow unique just proves my point.

By the way, you misspelled "realize."
 
Nope, what is disturbing is to realize all the nonsense people make up to sound like they are somehow enlightened. I once met a guy who also thought the government was spying on him through Ferrite Clamps, and covered all the infrared sensors on the devices in his house because he thought they were infecting his computer with a virus. Mind you, I don't care if you really do keep your cell phone in a drawer the entire time your home, but your feeble attempt to insult me by implying that you are somehow unique just proves my point.

By the way, you misspelled "realize."

Actually, I spelt realise correctly... which you would understand if you took your head out of your arse for a moment and realised that you Americans bastardised the English language with your love of Z's. By all means though, please feel free to continue seeing the world through your narcissistic perception.
 
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