Consumer Reports exposes serious security flaws in smart doorbells sold on Amazon, Walmart and other platforms

In a recent study published by Consumer Reports, a disturbing fact was revealed: many of the doorbell cameras sold on well-known U.S. online retail platforms, such as Amazon, Walmart, Shein, Temu, and Sears, are exposed to serious security vulnerabilities. This discovery has sparked widespread concern and worry, as these security vulnerabilities could put countless consumers at risk of hacking and privacy violations.

The Consumer Reports investigation highlighted that the products with safety issues were centered on brands such as Eken and Tuck, which are remarkably similar in appearance and operation, and can all be controlled through the same mobile app called Aiwit. These doorbell cameras were found to have several safety hazards due to design and manufacturing flaws. Most concerning is that these devices expose the user's home IP address and Wi-Fi network name (SSID) to the Internet without the use of encryption. Moreover, if malicious actors download the Aiwit app and switch to pairing mode, they can even easily take over these doorbell devices to obtain and remotely access video and still images of private homes.

The safety concerns don't stop there, these doorbells also lack the registration code that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) requires to be clearly labeled on the product. The lack of a registration code not only means that these products may not have been properly tested and validated, but also violates U.S. laws and regulations.

Although Eken and Tuck are not the most famous brands in the industry, their products are selling exceptionally well in the online marketplace. According to Consumer Reports, Amazon sold over 4,200 orders of these doorbells in January 2024 alone.

In the face of this security crisis, different online retail platforms have taken different responses.Temu platform responded quickly by pulling all Tuck and Eken branded doorbells from its website and emphasized that it would require all sellers on its platform to strictly comply with laws and regulations and provide the necessary documentation to support their products. Walmart took similar action, announcing that it was taking down the items involved in the issue from its site and promising to provide refunds to customers who had already purchased these products. Walmart also made it clear that it will prohibit the sale of any electronic products that do not comply with FCC regulations.

However, Amazon, Sears, and a number of other retailers seem to be slow to react to the issue, with no clear public response to date.

Against this backdrop, Consumer Reports is calling on the U.S. government to take action by enacting stricter laws and regulations requiring online retailers to scrutinize merchants and products sold on their platforms more closely. At the same time, Consumer Reports has also appealed to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission to protect consumers' personal security and privacy by prohibiting the sale of doorbells with security vulnerabilities on online marketplaces.

This series of events and findings re-emphasizes the importance of product security and consumer privacy in today's fast-paced digital world. It also

An important issue regarding cybersecurity was revealed in a recent survey published by Consumer Reports, which identified serious security vulnerabilities in many of the smart doorbell cameras sold on multiple online retail platforms, including Amazon, Walmart, Shein, Temu, and Sears. This finding has sparked widespread concern and worry, as these vulnerabilities could put consumers at risk of hacking.

The survey focused on smart doorbells under the Eken and Tuck brands, manufactured by the same Chinese company. These products are highly similar in design and functionality, and both can be operated through a universal mobile app called Aiwit. However, Consumer Reports' research team found that these smart doorbells have multiple security vulnerabilities, the most serious of which include:

1. Home IP addresses and Wi-Fi network names (SSIDs) are exposed on the Internet without encryption, making it easy for hackers to locate and attack users' networks.
2. Hackers are able to easily take over doorbell devices by downloading the Aiwit app and entering pairing mode, which in turn allows them to access and control the device.
3. The devices allow unauthenticated remote access, enabling outsiders to view still images and video footage of private homes, a serious violation of user privacy.
4. These products lacked proper registration codes, in violation of Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulations.

While Eken and Tuck aren't the most recognizable brands of doorbells on the market, they do sell quite well on the online marketplace. Consumer Reports notes that in January 2024 alone, there were over 4,200 orders for these brands of doorbells sold through Amazon. This statistic highlights the widespread distribution of unsafe products.

Different online retail platforms have responded to the issue in different ways. the Temu platform has removed all Tuck and Eken branded doorbells from its website and has stated that it will continue to rigorously monitor the compliance and product safety of all merchants on its platform. Walmart has also stated that it has removed the items involved in the issue from its site and will offer refunds to consumers. In addition, Walmart emphasized its ban on selling any electronic products that are not FCC-compliant. However, Amazon, Sears, and a number of other retailers have yet to respond or take action on the issue.

In light of the growing security concerns about smart doorbells, Consumer Reports is calling on the U.S. government to take action by enacting new regulations requiring online retailers to conduct stricter scrutiny of sellers and products on their platforms. In addition, the report recommends that the U.S. Federal Trade Commission intervene to prohibit the sale of smart doorbells with security vulnerabilities to ensure that consumers' cybersecurity and personal privacy are effectively protected.

In addition, the Consumer Reports study emphasizes the importance of consumer self-protection. It suggests that when purchasing a smart home device, users should first conduct detailed research to understand the product's safety features and the manufacturer's reputation. Meanwhile, consumers should regularly update their devices