Eufy Pays Users For Security Videos To Train AI

Anker, the company behind the popular Eufy security cameras, has been offering its users financial incentives and other rewards in exchange for their video footage to train the company's artificial intelligence systems.

The AI Training Initiative

Earlier this year, the internet-connected security camera maker launched a campaign offering customers $2 for each video they submitted of package or car thefts. The company was transparent about its goal, stating on its website, "To ensure we have enough data, we are looking for videos of both real and staged events, to help train the Al what to be on the lookout for." Eufy even encouraged users to stage their own thefts for the camera, suggesting that with multiple cameras, a user could earn up to $80 by faking a car door theft. The company assured users that this data would be used exclusively for training its AI algorithms.

Data for Dollars and Its Risks

This initiative highlights a growing trend where companies are willing to pay users for their data to fuel AI development. While this allows users to potentially monetize their own data, it also introduces significant security and privacy risks. A stark reminder of these dangers came when Neon, a viral calling app, was found to have a severe security flaw that exposed user data, including call recordings and transcripts, shortly after offering cash for that same data. The app was taken offline after the vulnerability was reported.

The Scale of Data Collection

The initial campaign to collect theft videos ran from late 2024 to early 2025, with a goal of acquiring 20,000 videos each of package thefts and car door thefts. Since then, Eufy has continued to incentivize data collection through its in-app "Video Donation Program." This program offers rewards ranging from digital badges to physical gifts like cameras or gift cards. An "Honor Wall" within the app showcases the top contributors, with one user having donated over 201,000 videos. The company also solicits video donations from its baby monitors, although without an offer of a monetary reward.

A History of Privacy Concerns

Eufy's promises to protect user data are viewed with skepticism by some, given the company's past actions. In 2023, it was revealed that Eufy had misled users by claiming their camera streams were end-to-end encrypted when, in fact, they were accessible unencrypted through the company's web portal. After initially denying the issue, Anker eventually admitted to the lapse and promised to implement a fix. This history raises important questions about the security of the vast amounts of user video the company is actively collecting for its AI training.