Skip to main content

Here’s yet another reason to be worried about your smart home camera

Google has cut off Xiaomi security cameras’ Nest and Assistant integration after a user was inadvertently shown feed images from strangers’ homes. The incident joins a long-running list of privacy mishaps — some of which have occurred in just the last couple of weeks — and raises further concerns on whether IP-based security systems can be trusted.

The issue was first spotted by a Netherlands-based Reddit user who, when he tried to stream his Xiaomi Mijia 1080p Smart IP security camera’s feed on a Google Nest Hub, saw stills from random people’s homes instead of his own. A bunch of the nearly dozen files he shared in a Reddit post offered disturbingly clear views of a sleeping baby in a crib, a man asleep in a chair, an enclosed porch, and more.

Xiaomi camera accidentally shows user stills from strangers' feed
Image used with permission by copyright holder

In a statement to AndroidPolice, a Google spokesperson confirmed the bug and added: “[We] are in contact with Xiaomi to work on a fix. In the meantime, we’re disabling Xiaomi integrations on our devices.”

Recommended Videos

The shutdown applies to all the Nest-enabled Xiaomi security devices across the world and is already live. Pulling up a Xiaomi security camera feed on a Nest display, for now, throws an error message stating the stream is unavailable at the moment.

Xiaomi released a statement on Thursday, January 2, saying the issue was caused by a recent cache update that was designed to improve camera streaming quality.

“This has only happened in extremely rare conditions,” Xiaomi said. “In this case, it happened during the integration between Mi Home Security Camera Basic 1080p and the Google Home Hub with a display screen under poor network conditions.

“We have also found 1,044 users were with such integrations and only a few with extremely poor network conditions might be affected,” the company added.

While Xiaomi says it has “communicated and fixed this issue with Google,” the company is suspending the Nest integration until “the root cause has been completely solved.”

The IP-based security home camera market has had a rocky past few weeks as companies continue to struggle to keep their customers and their private footage secure. A couple of days ago, smart home appliance maker Wyze revealed a security breach has compromised data of reportedly 2.4 million users. Two weeks before that, a man was able to hack a woman’s Ring camera to make explicit comments.

Shubham Agarwal
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Shubham Agarwal is a freelance technology journalist from Ahmedabad, India. His work has previously appeared in Firstpost…
Ikea rolls out Matter support for its Dirigera smart home hub
The Ikea Dirigera Hub on a table.

Ikea already had a surprisingly robust smart home catalog, offering smart blinds, light switches, air purifiers, and a handful of other popular gadgets. It’s now grown even more enticing, as the Dirigera Hub that drives most of the action now offers full Matter support.

As of September 11, all products connected to the Dirigera Hub will work with the interoperability standard. That’s a big win for Ikea, allowing its gadgets to interact with those from other platforms like Apple Home and Google Home. To achieve this, Dirigera is being updated to become a Matter Bridge, allowing it to work with all other Matter products.

Read more
The best smart home tech of IFA 2024
The IFA 100 sign outside the South Hall in Berlin.

IFA 2024 is in full swing, with cutting-edge companies across the globe showing off their hottest new releases. The smart home industry is out in force at the event, with hundreds of cool products spread out across the massive show grounds. From robot vacuums and smart refrigerators to robot lawnmowers and more, the future of your home is on display at IFA 2024.

After perusing hundreds of booths and going hands-on with tons of different electronics, here are the best smart home products of IFA 2024.
Roborock Qrevo Curv

Read more
Should you enroll your Amazon Smart Thermostat in the Energy Savings Program?
The Amazon Smart Thermostat hanging on wall.

The Amazon Smart Thermostat can be enrolled in a variety of Energy Savings Incentives Programs. These vary by location, but they essentially work to lower your energy bills by allowing the utility company to temporarily adjust your settings. This typically happens during peak hours or when the power grid is overloaded, allowing the utility company to reduce stress by manipulating your thermostat. Amazon says these events only happen a few times annually (commonly during the summer). Are the energy savings worth the inconvenience?

Here's a quick look at the Energy Savings Incentives Programs offered on the Amazon Smart Thermostat and whether or not you should enroll.
What are Energy Savings Incentives Programs

Read more