Google Removing Functionality From Nest Cam Hardware via a Patch

[Nebuzaradan]

Great work google! My 2 month old and 3 year old need an LED shining in their face at night when they try to sleep. Burglers need to know when a security camera is recording their activities. AND Users need to have functionality removed from their hardware without their consent!

 

Recently, we shared our commitment to privacy to outline how our products work in your home. As part of that commitment, we explained that you will always see a clear visual indicator when your Nest cameras are on and sending video and audio to Nest. So we’re changing how the status lights function on Nest cameras, Dropcam, and Nest Hello. You will be able to dim the light on your camera, but it will always be on when the camera is on. We’re doing this to make sure you, and those around your camera, are aware when the camera is on and recording. Starting today, we’re rolling out the following changes:    • In Settings for all Nest cameras and Nest Hello, the ability to turn off the status light will be removed. Instead, you’ll be able to dim the status light. When the camera is on, the status light will glow green.    • For Dropcam, the setting to turn off the status light will be removed. When the camera is on, the status light will glow blue.    • On Nest Cam, Dropcam, and Nest Hello, the status light will blink when the camera’s live video is streamed from the Nest app. The setting to turn this off will be removed.    We’re making these changes for greater transparency and privacy in your home. You can learn more about the status light updates here.  If you have questions or need additional details, please contact support.  - The Google Nest team

[duncannah]

No way to block it using tape?

[Guest]

Hum... "Contact Support" option?    

[Blademaster91]

15 minutes ago, duncannah said:

No way to block it using tape?

It sucks you can't turn the light off but yeah not much to complain about, just cover the LED's with electrical tape lol.

[Nebuzaradan]

Support told me that it's their new privacy policy and the blob of text above is the note google is sending out. They have no intention of retracting. It's got a very nice thread going now in reddit. 

 

 

[justpoet]

Request a full refund for initial MSRP since it no longer does what you bought it to do.  if they say no, talk to a class action lawyer specializing in consumer rights.

[Yoinkerman]

Seems fine to me

[jagdtigger]

Black paint, problem solved. Never understood why these cameras need an indicator....

[Maticks]

I had nest camera's in Australia so bad... its always a blocky mess uploading to servers in the USA.

Got Ubiquiti's now the 1080p camera's are so clear. i'd probably say the Nest Camera's in Australia upload at 480p.

A light on is bettter than a light flashing though...

[The King of the Undead]

and FACEPALM!

[yolosnail]

One more glowing light isn't really going to make much of a difference, especially if it's fairly dim, which it looks like it's going to be.

[NumLock21]

I don't get what's with all this moaning and bashing. Do you guys just moan and bash at anything and everything.

 

I don't have Nest, so why is the light constantly on, not a good thing. What is the purpose of that light?

Is it to tell if someone is

1. Recording

2. Monitoring

3. Remotely watching

4. All 1, 2, & 3

 

 

 

[spartaman64]

Just now, NumLock21 said:

I don't get what's with all this moaning and bashing. Do you guys just moan and bash at anything and everything.

 

I don't have Nest, so why is the light constantly on, not a good thing. What is the purpose of that light?

Is it to tell if someone is

1. Recording

2. Monitoring

3. Remotely watching

4. All 1, 2, & 3

 

 

 

the only downside i see is if you use it for your doorbell and someone you dont like comes so you try to pretend you are not home but they see the light

[NumLock21]

12 minutes ago, spartaman64 said:

the only downside i see is if you use it for your doorbell and someone you dont like comes so you try to pretend you are not home but they see the light

Is the nest a doorbell/cam or just a camera?

[spartaman64]

Just now, NumLock21 said:

Is the nest a doorbell/cam or just a camera?

theres a doorbell version

[williamcll]

Haha I'm still using my panasonic BL 131C

[kelvinhall05]

1. This seems to be so that people can't just record people without them knowing.

2. Just use tape, paint, or even 3D print something that can cover the lights. It's not that big of a deal.

[dalekphalm]

5 hours ago, kelvinhall05 said:

1. This seems to be so that people can't just record people without them knowing.

For the most part, if recording on your own private property, there's no legal requirement to let people know they are being recorded.

5 hours ago, kelvinhall05 said:

2. Just use tape, paint, or even 3D print something that can cover the lights. It's not that big of a deal.

It can be easily fixed, but why should they have to? If Google is worried about liability, just make a confirmation that double checks whether the user actually wants to disable the light.

 

I read the Reddit post and there were quite a few legitimate reasons for wanting to disable the light, including using it as a baby monitor, door bell cams, home security (not wanting to draw attention to the camera, etc).

[Nebuzaradan]

The bottom line is more of a consumer protection issue. When you buy hardware with a feature set advertised. A company should not have the right to remove features from something you paid for without consent. It's basically vandalism of private property. It doesn't really matter whether you like that they are doing it or not. It really comes down to alteration without consent or permission. If you purchased a video card with the expectation that you could overclock it and 2 months later the manufacturer released a bit of firmware that locked it to 5% below your stock purchase clock because it increased the longevity of your card would you approve?

 

Or a more apt example if a phone manufacturer was found to be under-clocking phones to "preserve battery life" without the consent of the users? I think we have a real problem in the USA and somewhat less so the rest of the world when it comes to consumer rights protections. You can argue "why are people whining" but when something that is a feature in a device you care about and paid for is taken away without your consent would you be fine with it?