Eufy is one of the most well-known tech brands and sells security systems and other tech equipment. However, the devices send your pictures to public servers without consent. The most prominent tech YouTuber, Linus Tech Tips, has now stated that he will no longer work with them.
Update from December 5, 2022: In the meantime, the company Eufy has commented on the allegations made by the YouTubers and addressed the security concerns.
This is the current situation:
- Eufy is a subsidiary of Anker. Eufy manufactures cameras and security systems, which are sold through platforms like Amazon. The reviews have so far been very good.
- Linus Tech Tips is one of the largest and most well-known tech channels on YouTube. He tests gaming hardware and tech for his viewers.
- In a video, he has now stated that he no longer wishes to work with Anker, the parent company of Eufy.
What exactly happened? The YouTuber Paul Moore showed in a video that the company Eufy allegedly sends private images from its security cameras to its servers without consent. Faces and other images are reportedly linked to the user’s account. Additionally, the images are said to be unencrypted on Eufy’s server, making them accessible to any user.
Linus Tech Tips: “We are done with Anker.”
How does Linus Tech Tips respond? In a new video, Linus Sebastian, the head of the YouTube channel “Linus Tech Tips,” states that the company Anker will not be a future sponsor. He himself says in his video that they are done with Anker and do not wish to work with them anymore.
Especially, as Linus mentions, he is unsure whether Eufy might use images from other devices for such purposes as well. After all, in addition to security cameras, Eufy also offers items like vacuum robots and body scales. You can watch the entire video on YouTube:
What’s next? Some users explain in the comments that “facial recognition” and storage in the USA are illegal. Also, in Europe, such practices could violate various data protection regulations, some explain.
Some users in the comments additionally state that they will never again resort to products from this company. One person writes:
Of all the companies I have seen, Anker is the only one to which I have (cautiously) shown brand loyalty and could trust, and that from someone who believes that no one should have brand loyalty.
A nice reminder that even seemingly great companies regarding trustworthiness and product transparency (accurate product specifications (especially battery life), quality products, good customer support, etc.) can still do crappy things.
It is likely that Anker, with its sub-brands, will lose more customers along with the YouTube channel. Because in the comments and also on reddit, many users express heavy disappointment and will prefer to switch to another manufacturer in the future (via reddit.com).
Do you own a security camera from Eufy yourself? Or do you not see the whole situation as so dramatic? Let us know in the comments!
By the way, Linus gets along better with other sponsors, as he shows in another video:
