Discovered a public webcam feed showing a child’s room and reached out to ROGERS ISP—no response. How should I proceed?

Urgent: Public Webcam Stream of Child’s Bedroom Discovered – Here’s How to Address It

In today’s digital world, privacy concerns are more pressing than ever, particularly when it comes to the safety of children. Recently, a distressing situation came to light involving a public webcam streaming from a child’s bedroom. The discovery was made while browsing the Internet, specifically through the IoT search engine Shodan, which revealed that a customer of Rogers Communications, a Canadian ISP, had their webcam set to public, exposing potentially sensitive imagery.

What Actions Were Taken

Upon discovering the alarming feed, I promptly reached out to Rogers’ customer support to report the issue, hoping they would take immediate action. Unfortunately, the experience was less than satisfactory. After being transferred multiple times and engaging in a lengthy conversation, the support team could only advise me to contact local authorities or the provider of the webcam. This scenario seemed unacceptable, especially given the seriousness of the matter.

In an attempt to escalate the situation, I contacted various organizations, including:
– Rogers’ abuse department
– The Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada
– The Canadian Centre for Cyber Security

I also tried contacting the local authorities using the number provided by Rogers, but I couldn’t reach anyone. After considering my options, I decided it might be best to escalate the matter through other channels, including online forums and security communities.

Positive Developments

Fortunately, there was a glimmer of hope in this concerning story. I recently received an update indicating that the owner of the webcam has been contacted, and the live feed has now been password-protected. This response demonstrates the potential for constructive action when such issues are raised.

Additionally, I have received communication from Rogers confirming that they have escalated my report and will be reaching out to the webcam owner directly. It’s reassuring to see that my concerns, along with support from others, have led to a positive outcome.

Final Thoughts

This experience highlights the importance of vigilance in the digital age, particularly concerning children’s safety and privacy. I’m grateful for the advice and support I’ve received from others who empathized with the situation. It’s crucial for all of us to look out for one another and act when we notice something concerning online.

If you ever stumble upon a similar situation, do not hesitate to report it to the proper authorities and the service provider. The combined efforts of individuals can lead to significant change and, ultimately, a safer online environment for everyone, especially our children.

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One Comment

  1. Thank you for sharing this important issue. Discovered a webcam feed that poses a privacy and safety concern is a serious matter. Here are some steps you can take to help address the situation:

    • Report Immediately to the Web Hosting Service or Owner: Since the webcam is publicly accessible, try to identify and contact the owner directly if possible. Often, webcams are hosted on platforms with reporting mechanisms for abuse.
    • File a Complaint with the ISP: Continue documenting your reports, including dates, times, and any correspondence. If Rogers hasn’t responded adequately, consider submitting a written complaint through their formal support channels or their abuse reporting email (often [email protected]).
    • Report to Relevant Authorities: File a formal complaint with the Canadian Centre for cyber security and the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada. They can investigate potential privacy violations or illegal activity.
    • Leverage Online Reporting Portals: Many search engines and IoT device directories have abuse reporting features; report the public webcam feed through those channels.
    • Document Everything: Keep detailed logs and screenshots of the publicly accessible feed, correspondence, and your efforts to resolve the issue.
    • Stay Informed and Vigilant: Continue monitoring online platforms and the webcam owner’s privacy settings to ensure the stream remains protected or removed.

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