Ten simple ways to keep your smart home from watching you

A CNET home security editor has published a list of ten privacy steps for smart home users. The core message is that a few minutes in device settings can cut down what companies collect. The most useful tips cover camera shutters, face recognition on doorbells and where your video is stored.

Treat devices like computers

Laurie Selkowitz, a partner in the Cybersecurity and Privacy Group at Greenberg Glusker, says the biggest mistake is treating smart devices like appliances. They are connected computers that happen to live in your home. Her rule of thumb is to turn on only the features you actually use. Unneeded cloud storage, voice history and activity logs can be switched off to reduce exposure.

Shutters, mics and faces

Newer smart displays and cameras often have physical shutters or off buttons, so you can confirm a camera cannot be used remotely. The guide suggests leaving them off until a video call. Smart speakers need a wake word to start listening, it says, and mistakes are usually similar-sounding words from conversation, music or TV.

Face recognition is the hot issue. Lawsuits against companies including Ring and Nest allege the feature can scan and save facial data from people who cannot consent. That includes delivery workers, passersby, visiting relatives and children. The guide advises checking that any familiar faces setting is off. It usually requires opting in and often a paid plan, so it is unlikely to turn on by accident.

Where your video lives

Cloud storage is the common default for security cameras, but cloud databases have been hacked or accidentally shared in the past. Local storage keeps video on a microSD card or a hub with a built-in drive. Eufy, Lorex, Blink and Wyze offer it with the right setup. You may need to clear old clips now and then.

One limit applies. Police can still take locally stored video with a warrant.

What to do

• Close camera shutters or turn cameras and mics off when not needed.
• Check doorbell and camera apps and switch off familiar faces.
• Turn off Ring AI features, neighborhood sharing and Amazon Sidewalk if they worry you.
• Choose local storage if you do not want video held by a company.

The guide also suggests smart shades, such as Lutron's, that close on a schedule. The remaining tips were not included in the material available for this report.