Anker’s Eufy security camera brand recently launched a controversial data collection campaign, offering users $2 per video to help train its AI systems for theft detection, sparking concerns about user data and privacy.
The campaign, which ran from December 18, 2024, to February 25, 2025, aimed to collect 20,000 videos each of package and car theft scenarios. Users were allowed to submit both real and staged theft videos through a Google Form, with the company encouraging participants to create simulated theft events using multiple cameras. According to user comments, more than 120 individuals indicated participation in the initial campaign. Eufy claimed the collected data would be used exclusively for AI algorithm training, with users able to upload videos and receive payment via PayPal.
Following the initial campaign, Eufy introduced a “Video Donation Program” with alternative incentives. The new program offers rewards including digital badges, cameras, and gift cards for video contributions. An in-app “Honor Wall” currently shows the top contributor has submitted 201,531 videos. The current program specifically requests videos involving humans and emphasizes that donated footage will not be shared with third parties. The company has expanded its video collection efforts to include footage from baby monitors, though no monetary compensation is mentioned for those submissions.
This initiative highlights the growing trend of tech companies seeking user-generated data to improve AI technologies. However, Eufy’s credibility has been previously challenged. In 2023, The Verge exposed that the company’s advertised end-to-end encrypted camera streams were actually unencrypted when accessed through its web portal. Anker subsequently admitted to the misrepresentation and promised to address the issue.
The data collection strategy draws parallels with other recent incidents in the tech industry, such as the Neon app’s controversial call recording program, which was shut down after a significant security vulnerability was discovered. Despite multiple inquiries from TechCrunch, Eufy did not provide specific details about the number of participants, total money paid, or the total volume of videos collected during the campaign.
