United States. Recent reports from Business Insider, CNN Business and many other publications have highlighted the undisclosed onboard microphone that was discovered on Google's Nest Guard security device, raising serious privacy issues among consumers.
The Monitoring Association (TMA), the Electronic Security Association (ESA), trade associations representing professionals who install and monitor security technologies in homes and businesses, question the validity of Google's published statements about the use of microphones in security devices. According to TMA and ESA, claims such as "security systems often include microphones to provide features that rely on sound detection," misrepresent the vast majority of residential security systems installed across the country.
Since audio recording includes both private and legal complexities, it is not extremely common in residential facilities. Security professionals and integrators consult with clients and ensure that all federal and state laws are adhered to.
"Adding audio surveillance can certainly make the system more robust," says ESA President Chris Mosley. "We're seeing exciting advances in the audio surveillance category, such as acoustic sensors and microphones that can help us detect gunshots or when voices are raised that may indicate potential violence. However, the general statements to infer that residential systems commonly have this feature are simply not accurate."
Louroe Electronics, an ESA member company and a manufacturer of audio technologies for 40 years, agrees with this analysis. "Sound-based technology in security systems is common in police, institutional and smart city facilities. However, the use of microphones for surveillance in residences is extremely rare due to increased expectations of privacy," says the company's CEO, Richard Brent.
"Security systems are now an important part of the customer experience at home, as we can integrate them with audio assistance," says Ivan Spector, President of TMA. "However, professionally installed and monitored security systems are not designed to record data and conversations without the knowledge of our customers."
According to both associations, adding microphones and audio capabilities to security systems adds another level of caution that should be taken to install the system in a way that protects consumer privacy.
Professionally installed systems are backed by technology experts who know the full capability of the system and its components and can adequately protect them from compromising privacy.
Source: Electronic Security Association.
