Surveillance experts explain how Nancy Guthrie’s home doorbell camera footage was recovered. The FBI and Pima County Sheriff’s Department found footage of a masked individual outside her Arizona home by extracting data from Google’s backend systems. This recovery raises questions about the data retention capabilities of doorbell cameras, including those with free plans. Cybersecurity experts say these cameras have built-in backup mechanisms that enable them to store data across multiple layers, making short-term recovery possible.
According to cybersecurity expert Alex Stamos, internal storage uses a “lazy deletion mechanism,” which means data won’t be available to users who don’t pay. Patrick Jackson, a former NSA data researcher, believes doorbell cameras often have a tamper mode that alerts users when devices are being disconnected or damaged. This feature may serve as a signal for companies like Google to hold onto data for longer periods.
Google’s cloud storage protection backup recovery overview states that the company offers various options to protect data from accidental deletion and recover it in case of a disaster. The FBI Director, Kash Patel, said authorities executed lawful searches and turned to private sector companies to expedite results and recover material that would normally be deleted.
The recovery of critical footage from Guthrie’s free account could open up Google to future law enforcement inquiries. Cybersecurity expert Patrick Jackson said this event could prompt a “flood of future law enforcement inquiries.” The incident highlights the importance of understanding data retention capabilities and potential features like tamper mode, which may not be disclosed in terms of service.
Google has declined to comment further on the matter, stating that it is an ongoing investigation.
Source: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/cybersecurity-experts-nancy-guthrie-surveillance-footage-recovery