Discovered a live public webcam feed of a child’s room and reached out to Rogers ISP—response was nonchalant. What steps should I take next?

Urgent Action Required: Public Webcam Exposes Child’s Bedroom

Recently, I encountered a concerning situation while browsing the internet that I feel compelled to share. While exploring security vulnerabilities using Shodan, an online search engine for Internet of Things (IoT) devices, I stumbled upon a public webcam streaming live from a child’s bedroom. This discovery raised immediate alarm bells for me, especially as a parent who prioritizes the safety and privacy of children.

Upon tracing the IP address, it became apparent that the webcam owner is a customer of the Canadian Internet Service Provider, Rogers. Anxious to address this matter promptly, I contacted their customer support team, hoping they would take immediate action to secure the webcam and potentially inform the owner. Unfortunately, my experience with their customer support was far from reassuring.

The first level of support referred me to a supervisor after I spent about thirty minutes explaining the gravity of the situation. Despite my efforts to clarify the urgency, I was met with a policy that redirected me to local authorities in Austria, where I currently reside. This response felt inadequate, given that the issue relates to a streaming service based in Canada.

In an effort to escalate this matter, I have since reached out to various organizations:
– The abuse department at Rogers ([email protected])
– The Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada
– The Canadian Centre for Cyber Security

Additionally, I attempted to contact Canadian authorities using the provided phone number (613-993-7267) but have yet to succeed. Given the sensitive nature of this case, I expected a more proactive approach, especially regarding the potential risk to the child’s privacy.

Recent Updates:

Just today, I received an email from Rogers confirming that my complaint has been escalated, and they are now in contact with the webcam owner. Remarkably, the webcam feed is now password-protected!

Community Support:

I have been truly grateful for the support I’ve received from the online community. Thank you to everyone who offered advice and assistance during this distressing situation. It has been heartening to see how concerned individuals can rally together to promote safety and awareness.

I’ll keep everyone updated as this situation unfolds, but it serves as a powerful reminder to check the privacy settings on our devices and to stay vigilant about online safety, especially for children. If you find yourself in a similar situation, consider reaching out to local authorities as well as the appropriate organizations dedicated to