Some doorbell cameras sold by Amazon and other online retailers have security flaws that could allow criminals to view footage from the devices or take full control of them, according to an investigation published Thursday by Consumer Reports.
Researchers from the product review organization said they found significant vulnerabilities in cameras manufactured by the Chinese company Eken Group Ltd., which produces video doorbells under the EKEN and Tuck brands, among others.
The devices have been sold online by Walmart, Shein, Sears, and Temu, which said it removed Eken-manufactured doorbells from its platform after Consumer Reports contacted the company.
A Walmart spokesperson said the doorbell cameras that Consumer Reports brought to its attention were listed on its marketplace by third-party sellers. The spokesperson said Walmart removed those items and offered refunds according to its return policy.
Amazon, which has awarded EKEN and Tuck doorbells its coveted “Amazon’s Choice” badge, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. But the doorbell cameras appeared to be available on its site Thursday.
Sears and Shein did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Researchers said the doorbell cameras manufactured by Eken Group can be controlled through a company-operated app called Aiwit. They said bad actors can create an account in the app and gain access to a nearby doorbell camera by pairing it with another device. That gives them the ability to view footage (or access still images) and lock out the device owner, Consumer Reports said.
The group’s researchers also found that some of the doorbell cameras lack the registration code required by the Federal Communications Commission.
“Major e-commerce platforms like Amazon and Walmart must do a better job of vetting sellers and products sold on their platforms so consumers aren’t put at risk,” said Justin Brookman, director of technology policy at Consumer Reports, in a statement.
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