Wyze's Security Breaches: A Timeline of Incidents and Responses

March 2022: Initial Vulnerabilities Discovered

The first major incident came to light in March 2022, when a Bitdefender study revealed critical vulnerabilities affecting all existing Wyze Cam models. While Wyze patched two of the affected models, the company took nearly three years to fully address these issues, prompting the discontinuation of its first-generation camera. This delay alarmed consumers and security experts alike, raising concerns about the company’s commitment to user security.

September 2023: Web Portal Breach

Just five months later, Wyze faced another serious breach. A small group of customers was able to access video feeds from other users’ cameras via the Wyze web portal. This incident exposed systemic weaknesses within Wyze’s security framework and led to a pause in recommendations for Wyze cameras by various security advocates.

February 2024: Major Privacy Incident

The most alarming breach occurred in February 2024, when approximately 13,000 Wyze users received thumbnail images from other customers’ cameras. Shockingly, 1,504 individuals were able to view live feeds. Unlike previous breaches, this incident stemmed from internal mishandling, as Wyze mistakenly distributed sensitive data to users. Critics noted that Wyze's response was inadequate; a mass email was sent nearly 48 hours after users began reporting issues on social media and customer support forums.

Wyze's Responses

In the aftermath of these incidents, Wyze acknowledged the need for improvement. Co-founder Dave Crosby emphasized that the company was undergoing multiple penetration tests and process enhancements to bolster security. However, the slow response time and lack of proactive communication left many customers feeling frustrated and exposed.

Relevance to Consumers

These incidents serve as a critical reminder for consumers to prioritize security when choosing smart home products. While no company can guarantee 100% safety, consumers must feel confident that their devices protect their privacy and data. If you currently have Wyze products, we strongly suggest switching brands. For more tips on securing your smart home, check out our guide on keeping your smart home secure here.

Conclusion

Due to the repeated security issues and inadequate responses, we have removed all Wyze products from our recommendations and will no longer review them. Trust is essential when it comes to smart home technology, and Wyze’s track record raises too many concerns. We encourage consumers to choose brands that prioritize security and transparency for a safer smart home experience.

In recent years, Wyze has faced significant security challenges that have raised serious concerns about its smart home devices. With multiple incidents leading to breaches of user privacy, it’s crucial for consumers to understand what happened, how Wyze responded, and what this means for the safety of smart home technology.