Serious security issues found in certain doorbell cameras sold on Amazon and other online stores

Consumer Reports published an investigation on Thursday that found that doorbell cameras supplied by Amazon and other online merchants had security weaknesses that may allow malefactors to observe or even take entire control of the devices.  

According to researchers from the product-review organization, cameras made by Eken Group Ltd., a Chinese business that manufactures video doorbells under the brands Tuck and EKEN, among others, have serious vulnerabilities. 

Walmart, Shein, Sears, and Temu have all sold the devices online. Temu stated that it took Eken-made doorbells off of its platform after getting in contact with Consumer Reports.  

An inquiry for comment was not immediately answered by Amazon, which bestowed its prized "Amazon's Choice" logo on the EKEN and Tuck doorbells. But the doorbell cameras appeared to be available on its site on Thursday. 

Walmart, Sears and Shein also did not immediately respond to requests for comment. 

Researchers said the doorbell cameras made by Eken Group can be controlled by a company-operated app called Aiwit. They said bad actors can create an account on 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 owner from the device, Consumer Reports said. 

The group's researchers also found that some of the doorbell cameras don’t have a registration code required by the Federal Communications Commission. 

“Major e-commerce platforms like Amazon and Walmart need to do a better job of vetting sellers and products sold on their platforms, so consumers are not put at risk,” Justin Brookman, director of tech policy at Consumer Reports, said in a statement.