A Concerning Discovery: Public Webcam Streams of Children’s Bedrooms

In an alarming incident that has raised significant privacy concerns, I recently uncovered a public webcam stream originating from a child’s bedroom. This discovery was made while browsing the IoT search engine Shodan, which is often used to identify unsecured devices online. The webcam in question appeared to belong to a customer of Rogers, a major ISP in Canada.

Taking Action: Reaching Out to the ISP

Concerned for the child’s safety, I promptly contacted Rogers’ customer support. Unfortunately, my experience was far from reassuring. After a lengthy discussion with first-level support, I was transferred to a supervisor. Despite my persistent explanations, the supervisor could only suggest that I contact local authorities, either in Austria or Canada.

I found this response inadequate and frustrating. As a concerned citizen and parent, I expected more proactive assistance in addressing such a critical issue. The privacy and safety of children should be a top priority, and it felt as if the severity of this situation was not taken seriously by the ISP.

Updates and Continued Efforts

After my initial outreach, I received a positive update: the owner of the webcam was contacted, and the video feed has since been password-protected. While this is a step in the right direction, I felt compelled to continue raising awareness about this incident.

On January 26, I received an email from Rogers, informing me that my issue has been escalated. They assured me that they would be reaching out to the webcam owner. It’s encouraging to see that the company is beginning to address this matter more seriously, and I appreciate the support from my community who offered their assistance in navigating these circumstances.

Furthermore, I have also taken the initiative to contact several authorities: the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada, the Canadian Centre for cyber security, and attempted to reach the Canadian police using the number provided by Rogers. While my experience with the ISP was frustrating, I remain hopeful that the authorities will address this issue appropriately.

As I continue to pursue this matter, I encourage others to remain vigilant about privacy issues, especially regarding children. If you stumble upon similar incidents, I urge you to report them immediately. Sharing our experiences can help foster a safer online environment for everyone.

Conclusion: Community Support is Vital

Thank you to everyone who has supported me throughout this process. It’s amazing to see the commitment within our community to protect children and uphold their safety online. I will keep you updated on