Security camera privacy ratings
Camera software that keeps footage private.
11 security cameras are rated against 4 public criteria, and 11 have enough evidence for a letter grade. Of the 7 with a known jurisdiction, 6 are based in a Five Eyes country, and 6 in the wider Fourteen Eyes.
Open-source security cameras only · Criteria for this category · Suggest an addition · Markdown
| Name | Grade | Score | Data | Jurisdiction | Open source | No trackers or telemetry | No ads or data sales | Independent audit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Open source, end-to-end encrypted home security camera system for the Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W, with mobile apps for live video, alerts and recordings through a relay that cannot decrypt footage. |
Grade B | 80 | 100% | – | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
Open source video surveillance software for Linux that records and analyzes IP, USB and analog cameras through a web interface. |
Grade B | 80 | 100% | – | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
Self-hosted video integration platform that brings IP cameras into HomeKit, Google Home, Alexa and Home Assistant. The paid Scrypted NVR plugin adds recording, detection and mobile apps. |
Grade C | 65 | 100% | United States Five Eyes | Partial | Yes | Yes | No |
Open source network video recorder for IP cameras with local real-time object detection, running in Docker and integrating with Home Assistant. |
Grade D | 50 | 100% | – | Yes | No | Yes | No |
Self-hosted video surveillance and recording software written in Node.js, with a web interface, motion and object detection plugins, and paid Pro licenses. |
Grade D | 50 | 100% | – | Yes | No | Yes | No |
Anker's line of security cameras, video doorbells and home base stations that store video locally, with an app for live view and alerts. Optional end-to-end encryption is available for video. |
Grade F | 20 | 100% | China Outside Eyes | No | No | Partial | Partial |
Google's indoor and outdoor security cameras and video doorbells, managed in the Google Home app, with optional cloud video history through a Google subscription. |
Grade F | 10 | 100% | United States Five Eyes | No | No | No | Partial |
Amazon-owned video doorbells and security cameras with an app for live view, motion alerts and cloud recording through a Ring subscription. Optional end-to-end encryption is available for video. |
Grade F | 10 | 100% | United States Five Eyes | No | No | Partial | No |
Low-cost smart home cameras, video doorbells and sensors with an app for live view, motion alerts and optional cloud recording through a Cam Plus subscription. |
Grade F | 10 | 100% | United States Five Eyes | No | No | Partial | No |
Video surveillance software from iSpyConnect for Windows, macOS, Linux and Docker, with motion and AI detection, free for private local use and a paid subscription for remote access. |
Grade F | 0 | 100% | Australia Five Eyes | No | No | No | No |
Wireless security cameras and video doorbells with an app for live view, motion alerts and cloud recording through an Arlo Secure subscription. |
Grade F | 0 | 100% | United States Five Eyes | No | No | No | No |
Questions
What is the most private option among security cameras?
No pick has been made yet. The table above is sorted by score, based on public evidence.
How are security cameras rated?
Each entry answers 4 questions: open source, no trackers or telemetry, no ads or data sales and independent audit. Answers need links to evidence. See the full criteria.
Does jurisdiction matter?
Jurisdiction decides which laws can compel a provider to hand over data. Each entry shows its country and whether it is in the Five, Nine or Fourteen Eyes. The data a provider can hand over depends mostly on what it stores and who holds the keys. Read about jurisdictions and the CLOUD Act.