With the development of science and technology, adhere to the bottom line of the rules
make the use of webcams more comfortable
While web cameras provide convenience for online "cloud life", they may also bring opportunities for cybercrime.
Recently, criminals have hacked a large number of cameras in private houses and public places and sold filmed content, posing a threat to people's privacy.
Webcams are not an "outside the law." Experts pointed out that technical measures and legal measures should be taken to cut off the black industry chain that sells citizens' privacy.
The voyeuristic incident sounded the alarm
Mr. Li from Nanjing bought a webcam for participating in the company’s online video conference, but shortly after using it, he received an English e-mail. The sender claimed that his camera had been cracked and recorded that he was on the computer recently. Every move before; if he does not want the video to be posted online, he must immediately pay a certain amount of bitcoin to an account.
"Although I knew it was a scam at first glance, I am not so relieved of the webcam. I have to turn it aside every time I use it in a meeting."
In a case recently concluded by the Beijing Third Intermediate People’s Court, the defendant Wu Moumou controlled 180,000 cameras around the world through an app, involving many private residences and public places; “customers” can pay on the app Register as a member, watch and save the pictures taken by the camera.
In this case, Wu Moumou used online hacking software to steal the user database of a certain brand of webcam, and used social media to find technical personnel to develop illegal apps. The black industry chain was shocking.
In the era of mobile Internet, remote office, online education, online entertainment and other scenarios require the participation of web cameras. Traffic supervision and smart security cannot be separated from the assistance of web cameras. The popular application of smart phones, smart homes and other devices makes web cameras gradually Become the "standard equipment" of life.
IDC recently released data showing that in the fourth quarter of 2020, China’s home security/monitoring equipment sales were close to 600 million U.S. dollars, with shipments of 8.17 million units, a year-on-year increase of 24.9%.
However, smart webcams may also present security risks.
Some criminals used technical vulnerabilities in some products to crack a large number of camera IP addresses, selling cracking software and "voyeur packages" at high prices; there were also illegal businesses that remotely manipulate cameras to "live broadcast" without the user's permission, openly monitoring the lives of others, and bringing great privacy to citizens Threatened.
Privacy protection has become a key issue that the webcam industry urgently needs to respond to.
Security vulnerabilities need to be corrected
How can citizens' privacy be prying?
Professor Zhou Youjun of Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics School of Law pointed out in an interview with our reporter that there are laws to follow to protect privacy in the network environment.
The "Civil Code" clearly stipulates the definition and protection of privacy rights, and the "Network Security Law" also sets forth clear requirements for network products and services.
In related cases, the use of hackers to crack the IP of a webcam and sell content has violated Article 285 of the "Criminal Law", "Crime of illegal intrusion into computer information systems" and other provisions.
But in real life, the technical characteristics of web cameras may still give criminals a chance to take advantage of.
Liao Huaixue, a lawyer from Taihetai Law Firm, analyzed in an interview with this reporter that camera product quality defects, weak cloud security protection, and weak passwords used on the application side may all cause the privacy of the web camera to leak.
In 2017, the Beijing police announced the detection of the country's first online transmission of home camera cracking software. Since then, relevant departments have always been highly vigilant against such crimes, but there are still criminals against the trend.
Liao Huaixue pointed out that the current difficulties in the supervision of privacy leakage of web cameras are mainly in two aspects: one is that the technology of cracking web cameras is becoming more concealed and professional, and the other is that criminal organizations for privacy leakage of web cameras are gradually industrialized and chained.
“The former is the source of new types of cyber privacy crimes. Criminals often use updated and iterative technologies to develop cracking tools to break through the security lines of defense set by manufacturers and challenge investigations. The industrialization and chaining of criminal acts has not only expanded criminal subjects. It also expands the crime scene and greatly increases the difficulty of supervision."
Strengthening supervision is imperative
How to make the webcam more comfortable to use?
Zhou Youjun pointed out that it is necessary for the market supervision department to strengthen supervision from the production link, requiring manufacturers to meet national standards in code protection, identity authentication, and weak password verification to avoid illegal cracking incidents.
Companies should also improve the design, constantly update camera security protection procedures, and guide users to reinforce security measures.
At the same time, citizens should increase their awareness of network security, purchase camera equipment produced by regular manufacturers, set high-level protection passwords, and update camera security protection procedures in a timely manner.
Regarding the situation where cybercrimes have been committed, Zhou Youjun said that the judicial department should promptly investigate cases, convict and sentence criminals in accordance with the law, and severely crack down on such crimes in accordance with the law.
Users should also save evidence, report the case in time, and actively cooperate with the public security organs in investigating the case.
Liao Huaixue pointed out that trafficking in citizens’ privacy can be cracked down through civil torts and criminal accountability, but the protection of citizens’ privacy is a comprehensive and systematic project that still needs continuous improvement.
“First of all, relevant legislation needs to be refined to delineate behavioral red lines for all parties. The "Personal Information Protection Law" is currently being formulated. Regulatory agencies should coordinate and cooperate to improve the level of law enforcement. Industry organizations should advocate enterprise and industry self-discipline and introduce corresponding measures. Industry technical standards. The privacy protection awareness of enterprises and citizens cannot be ignored."
The problems reflected by the webcams are only one aspect of privacy protection in the digital age.
A few days ago, a number of car companies have been exposed to install in-vehicle cameras to identify the posture and facial data of drivers and passengers to improve driving behavior, but this has caused widespread public doubts about privacy leaks.
Experts point out that privacy protection and digital development are not a pair of "antonyms".
With the advancement of technologies such as the Internet of Things, big data, and artificial intelligence, the application prospects of smart devices such as web cameras will be broader.
At the same time as the development of science and technology, sticking to the bottom line of the rules is the proper meaning of privacy protection in the digital age.
Lin Zihan
Lin Zihan