Anker offered Eufy camera owners $2 per video for AI training

Anker, the Chinese parent company behind Eufy security cameras, has launched an intriguing initiative, enticing users to submit videos of package and car thefts for a monetary reward. The company is offering $2 for each video, aiming to bolster its AI capabilities in detecting theft effectively. On its website, Eufy stated the necessity of gathering both authentic and staged footage to adequately train its AI systems. Users are encouraged to creatively simulate theft scenarios, with the potential to earn even more—up to $80—if they capture multiple angles of a staged event simultaneously. While this initiative presents an opportunity for users to monetize their data, it also raises significant privacy concerns. Recent events have highlighted the risks involved in similar campaigns. For instance, a viral app called Neon faced backlash after a security flaw exposed user data, prompting it to shut down operations. The Eufy campaign, which ran from December 18, 2024, to February 25, 2025, aimed to collect 20,000 videos each of package theft and car door incidents. Over 120 participants engaged with the campaign, submitting videos through a Google Form linked to their PayPal accounts for payment. Despite inquiries, Eufy has not provided clarity on the campaign's overall participation numbers or the total monetary distribution. Following this initiative, Eufy has introduced similar programs to encourage video donations for AI training, rewarding users with badges and products ranging from cameras to gift cards. A notable aspect of the ongoing campaigns is the introduction of an “Honor Wall” within the Eufy app, showcasing the top contributors of video content. The current leading user has submitted an astonishing 201,531 videos. Eufy asserts that the donated footage is exclusively for AI training purposes and will not be shared with third parties. However, skepticism remains regarding Eufy’s commitment to user privacy. A previous revelation in 2023 revealed that their advertised end-to-end encryption for camera streams was misleading, as these streams could be accessed unencrypted through their web portal. Anker later acknowledged the oversight and vowed to address the issue. This ongoing tension between user engagement and privacy concerns continues to be a focal point as Eufy navigates its innovative yet controversial approach to AI training.