CNET reviewers have been fans of Wyze's security platform and cameras in the past, but in the last couple of years I've pulled back from recommending their affordable cams and similar security devices due to a series of unsettling security breaches that I covered in-depth. Now it's been well over a year, and Wyze's security changes have culminated in a fascinating new safety layer called VerifiedView.
Wyze VerifiedView basics
Wyze video, photo and streaming content from cams is getting a serious security improvement. Screenshots by CNET
Here's how it works: VerifiedView is a layer of metadata that now applies to all Wyze cameras. Metadata is extra data attached to the content that we see and interact with, like photos and video. For example, a photo may be tagged with metadata about when and where it was taken -- that helps systems identify, search and organize photos more easily.
Wyze's VerifiedView metadata is a bit different. It stamps every photo or video created with a specific identifier, an encrypted version of your Wyze User ID, which is permanently tied to your Wyze account. Whenever anyone tries to watch or stream a video using a Wyze account, their account identifier needs to match the identifier stamped into the metadata of the video. Otherwise, access is denied. Live viewing through a camera works in a similar way. Only the account that set up the device has the authority to view footage that device creates.
While companies tag videos like this with all kinds of metadata, this is the first time I've seen metadata used so clearly to manage video access and keep it from strange eyes. It's a move designed to directly counter some of the worst kinds of security breaches, like accidentally letting random strangers or privacy-violating employees spy through your home cams. Unfortunately, that's a real issue that's happened in the recent past, so it's nice to see security measures specifically addressing it.
Read more: 7 Ways to Spot Hidden Cameras in Your Airbnb Rental
Wyze's recent security journey
Wyze's latest security improvements follow more than a year of work. Wyze
Since the data breaches and security snafus, Wyze has rolled out a number of security enhancements, many directly targeted toward improving user security and preventing the sort of abuse and bugs that can plague security companies. Some notable changes potential users should know about include:
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