Anker's Eufy caught paying for staged and real theft videos, raising alarming privacy concerns

Anker's Eufy Caught Paying for Staged and Real Theft Videos, Raising Alarming Privacy Concerns

Chinese tech giant Anker, widely recognized for its reliable charging solutions and audio gear, finds itself embroiled in a deeply unsettling controversy surrounding its Eufy security camera brand. The company initiated a rather bizarre campaign, explicitly offering payment for video footage of thefts. What escalated the situation from peculiar to downright alarming was the explicit inclusion of staged, reenacted thefts in their acquisition program. This audacious move has ignited a firestorm of questions regarding data privacy, algorithmic training ethics, and the very definition of security when the protector might be complicit in creating the threat it aims to detect.

A Controversial AI Training Initiative

Anker, through its Eufy brand, openly stated its intention to procure video recordings of thefts for the explicit purpose of training its artificial intelligence (AI) systems. The goal, as articulated by the company, was to enhance the AI's ability to recognize and identify perpetrators more effectively. The initiative, which ran from December 18, 2024, to February 25, 2025, wasn't subtle about its monetary incentives. Participants were encouraged to maximize their earnings by staging more complex scenarios. For instance, the company suggested that a staged car break-in, particularly one captured simultaneously by two cameras, could yield as much as $80, a significant leap from the $2 offered for regular theft footage.

The process was deceptively simple: individuals could upload their videos via a Google Form and receive payment through PayPal. Anker aimed to amass a staggering 20,000 videos depicting various forms of theft. While at least a hundred individuals publicly acknowledged their participation, the true extent of involvement, including those who remained silent, remains unknown. Anker has remained tight-lipped about the total number of videos acquired and the financial outlay for this controversial program. They maintain that these reenactments were solely for algorithmic development and nothing more, a claim that has been met with considerable skepticism.

Erosion of Trust and Escalating Data Collection

The Eufy theft video program is not an isolated incident that casts a shadow over Anker's commitment to user privacy and data security. This initiative has inevitably drawn parallels to other instances where companies have exploited user data under the guise of service improvement. The recent issues with the Neon app, which also compensated users for call data, serve as a stark reminder of how easily such programs can become security vulnerabilities. A bug in Neon's system, for example, could have exposed users' private information, underscoring the inherent risks when sensitive data is collected and handled, even for seemingly benign purposes like AI training.

Even after the conclusion of the paid theft video campaign, Eufy's data-gathering activities have continued. The Eufy app now features a "Video Donation Program," where users are incentivized with gift cards, in-app "medals," or even new cameras to share their recordings. This program has led to the creation of a "Wall of Honor" within the app, prominently featuring a user who has reportedly uploaded over 201,000 videos – a testament to the lengths some individuals will go for virtual rewards and freebies.

A Chilling Precedent: Collecting Data from Baby Monitors

Perhaps the most disturbing development is Eufy's expansion into collecting video footage from baby monitors. This move is particularly alarming given the inherent sensitivity of the data involved. Unlike the previous initiatives, no compensation is offered for these recordings, leaving the exact purpose and usage of this data shrouded in mystery. The lack of transparency is deeply worrying, especially considering the vulnerability of children.

This latest endeavor is not Anker's first brush with data security scandals. In 2023, the company faced significant backlash when its security camera recordings, advertised as end-to-end encrypted, were found to be accessible through its website without such encryption. While Anker eventually acknowledged the flaw and pledged to rectify it, the incident eroded consumer confidence and highlighted a pattern of questionable data handling practices. The cumulative effect of these incidents raises serious doubts about Anker's approach to safeguarding user data and maintaining trust in its products, particularly in the critical realm of home security.