How was video footage recovered from Nancy Guthrie's Nest doorbell?

Video footage was recovered from residual data on Google's backend systems because the wireless doorbell fell back to local storage during Wi-Fi outages.

Can doorbell footage be recovered without a Nest Aware subscription?

Yes, the wireless Nest Doorbell saves about three hours of event-based video history for free before deletion, and this residual data can be recovered.

What privacy concerns arise from recovered doorbell camera data?

The recovery of data raises concerns about what information is stored by companies and accessible by law enforcement from cloud-based security camera systems.

Home / Crime and Justice / FBI Recovers Missing Woman's Doorbell Video

FBI Recovers Missing Woman's Doorbell Video

12 Feb

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Summary

Doorbell footage was recovered from residual data on Google servers.
The wireless doorbell retained footage due to local storage fallback.
Privacy concerns arise over accessible cloud-based security data.

FBI Recovers Missing Woman's Doorbell Video

Federal agents have recovered crucial video footage from the doorbell camera outside Nancy Guthrie's residence, ten days after she was reported missing. The FBI confirmed that the images were retrieved from residual data stored on Google's backend systems. This breakthrough was facilitated by the specific model of the Google Nest Doorbell used, which has a wireless design and a limited amount of on-device flash memory.

Unlike wired models that solely upload to the cloud, this wireless doorbell is designed to fall back to local storage during Wi-Fi outages. This feature allowed for the recovery of approximately three hours of event-based video history, which was stored on Google's servers before being permanently deleted. This recovery occurred even though Ms. Guthrie did not have an active Nest Aware subscription.

The incident has ignited significant privacy discussions. The ability to recover data from cloud-based security systems, even without a subscription, raises questions about what information is retained and who can access it. This development prompts consideration of alternative security camera solutions that prioritize local storage, such as those offered by Eufy or hard-wired systems like Reolink, in contrast to the convenience offered by cloud-dependent services like Nest and Ring.