Some doorbell cameras sold by Amazon and other online retailers have security flaws that would allow bad actors to view footage from the devices or control them completely, according to an investigation published Thursday by Consumer Reports.
Researchers from the product-review organization said they found major vulnerabilities in cameras manufactured by the Chinese company Eken Group Ltd., which produces video doorbells under the brand names EKEN and Tuck, amongst others.
The devices have been sold online by Walmart, Shein, Sears and Temu, which said it removed Eken-made doorbells from its platform after Consumer Reports reached out to the corporate.
![EKEN doorbell camera](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/2019-las-vegas-doorbell-cameras-77423260.jpg?w=1024)
A Walmart spokesperson said the doorbell cameras Consumer Reports brought to its attention were listed on its marketplace by third-party sellers.
The spokesperson said Walmart has removed those items and was offering refunds under its return policy.
Amazon, which has given the EKEN and Tuck doorbells its coveted “Amazon’s Selection” badge, didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.
However the doorbell cameras appeared to be available on its site on Thursday.
Sears and Shein also didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment.
Researchers said the doorbell cameras made by Eken Group could be controlled by a company-operated app called Aiwit.
They said bad actors can create an account on the app and gain access to a close-by doorbell camera by pairing it with one other device.
That provides them the flexibility to view footage — or access still images — and lock out the owner from the device, Consumer Reports said.
The group’s researchers also found that among the doorbell cameras don’t have a license plate required by the Federal Communications Commission.
![Amazon factory](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/2021-picture-shows-amazon-logo-6054543.jpg?w=1024)
“Major e-commerce platforms like Amazon and Walmart need to do a greater job of vetting sellers and products sold on their platforms, so consumers should not put in danger,” Justin Brookman, director of tech policy at Consumer Reports, said in an announcement.