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Google Pressured To Police Stolen Webcam Videos On YouTube

Posted by Soulskill on from the america's-creepiest-home-videos dept.

An anonymous reader writes: A new report from Digital Citizens Alliance has called on Google to do a better job of making sure illicit webcam footage doesn't stick around on YouTube. Over the past several years, hackers have found profit in hijacking webcams and using the footage they capture to embarrass or extort money from their victims. This footage is frequently posted to YouTube, sometimes even as livestreams. DCA says these videos collectively have millions of views on YouTube, and that Google is part of the reason hackers can profit from it. They add that Google has not yet responded to their request.

62 comments

  1. Hypocrisy by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    And how the heck is YouTube supposed to know what is 'illicit' and not?
    So, lets force YouTube to guess?
    Or, perhaps lets force any site to take down data because someone, somewhere, says it is?

    1. Re:Hypocrisy by alvinrod · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Obviously no one can until a complaint is filed.

      The problem, as anyone who has had a problem with Google and needed to talk to a human knows, is that Google doesn't have a lot of staff to deal with this kind of thing. They try to have an algorithm detect and deal with abuses, but they're often wrong or inadequate which leaves regular people without a lot of options.

    2. Re:Hypocrisy by AmiMoJo · · Score: 1

      It's worse than that. How do you prove you own copyright on the stolen footage and thus the right to ask for it to be removed?

      In the case of stolen photos, some people have had to send nudes to the copyright office. That's clearly unacceptable.

      --
      const int one = 65536; (Silvermoon, Texture.cs)
      SJW, n: "Someone I don't like, and by the way I'm a fuckwit" - AC
    3. Re:Hypocrisy by epyT-R · · Score: 0

      Cams and devices with cams should come with physical switches that cut power to the device and its mic. The power LED should not be software switchable. If the cam and/or the mic is active, the LED should be on. Perhaps build the switch into a plastic shield that covers the lens and pickup when switched off.

      Really, don't upload your nudes to the 'cloud'. This should be common sense. I have no sympathy for the 'victims' of 'fappenings.' They victimized themselves with their own stupidity.

    4. Re:Hypocrisy by Foobar+of+Borg · · Score: 2

      I have a problem with Google's new tendency to use UK-centric names for their new photo captcha. They show me photos of burgers and fries, trucks, planes, etc. But they call french fries "chips", airplanes "aeroplanes" and trucks "lorries" or something. It's like the people in charge over there don't understand that on the Internet you must use common, world-wide english, not a dialect specific to a tiny part of the planet.

      British English is the standard throughout the world, both in the Anglosphere, and in countries where English is taught as a second language. English did come from England, you know...

      --
      Similar to the upcoming US election results
    5. Re:Hypocrisy by Stan92057 · · Score: 2

      "Quote"

      http://www.youtube.com/yt/policyandsafety/communityguidelines.html

      Nudity or sexual content YouTube is not for pornography or sexually explicit content. If this describes your video, even if it's a video of yourself, don't post it on YouTube. Also, be advised that we work closely with law enforcement and we report child exploitation. Learn more"

      End Quote
      seems to be pretty clear to me

      --
      Jack of all trades,master of none
    6. Re:Hypocrisy by Stan92057 · · Score: 1

      http://www.youtube.com/yt/poli...

      .Seems to be pretty clear to me Google has a very clear TOS of what is and what isnt allowed

      --
      Jack of all trades,master of none
    7. Re:Hypocrisy by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      Either you're using a VPN, or your IP address was recently reassigned from a block previously used by an ISP in the UK. You can try reporting the problem here, but as with most Google contact forms, it's a black hole and nobody will ever look at the report. Your best bet is to wait it out.

    8. Re:Hypocrisy by BlueStrat · · Score: 1

      And how the heck is YouTube supposed to know what is 'illicit' and not?
      So, lets force YouTube to guess?
      Or, perhaps lets force any site to take down data because someone, somewhere, says it is?

      Umm, there's elections coming up and many campaign coffers to fill. Apparently TPTB feel Google has not yet done enough towards that end.

      What? You thought this was anything else?

      Strat

      --
      Progressivism (aka US 'Liberalism'): Ideas so good they need a police/surveillance-state to enforce.
    9. Re: Hypocrisy by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Usually someone will look and act on it, but they usually dont bother getting back to you about it.

    10. Re:Hypocrisy by William+Baric · · Score: 0

      I live in Canada (Quebec). We have the same queen as the Brits (even if we really, really don't give a fuck about her), but we say french fries, airplanes and trucks. I spent several years in France. People there were saying french fries, airplanes and trucks. English did come form England, but nowadays standard English is American English.

    11. Re: Hypocrisy by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      In the Americas.

    12. Re:Hypocrisy by serviscope_minor · · Score: 1

      Really, don't upload your nudes to the 'cloud'. This should be common sense. I have no sympathy for the 'victims' of 'fappenings.' They victimized themselves with their own stupidity.

      Well, the important thing is that you've managed to find a way to feel superior to them.

      --
      SJW n. One who posts facts.
    13. Re: Hypocrisy by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      If you can't tell it's person X because their face is hidden, why does person X care their anonymous butt-cheeks are on YouTube?

    14. Re:Hypocrisy by K.+S.+Kyosuke · · Score: 1

      I spent several years in France. People there were saying french fries

      Of course they would say that. You wouldn't serve American fries in France, n'est-ce pas?

      --
      Ezekiel 23:20
    15. Re:Hypocrisy by KGIII · · Score: 1

      True but Canadians also still use some British spelling though that is much less these days than it used to be. Honour was such an example - Canadians spelled it with the U and we dolts down here spelled it with four Qs and a G.

      --
      "So long and thanks for all the fish."
    16. Re:Hypocrisy by KGIII · · Score: 1

      I am reasonably certain that pictures of my penis are online. I have shared it, I used to drink - a lot, with many people. I am kind of honored if it is still online somewhere. It means that someone liked it well enough to retain a copy and share it with other people. He's not the biggest but he sure is cute.

      --
      "So long and thanks for all the fish."
    17. Re:Hypocrisy by CCarrot · · Score: 1

      Cams and devices with cams should come with physical switches that cut power to the device and its mic.

      Protip: camera can be disabled with a small amount of electrical tape right over the lens. Doesn't work so well for the mic, but it's a pretty much unhackable solution to prevent e-peeping toms...and today's voyeurs don't usually have interest in non-video feeds.

      Here's an interesting idea, though...think there'd be a market for camera cases with a flip-up camera shield, front and back? I would definitely be interested...would be tricky to design in some phones so it doesn't foul the proximity sensors, and 'auto-brightness' settings would be useless, but still...

      --
      "I love animals! Some are cute, others are tasty, what's not to like?" - Betsy Schroeder, Jeopardy contestant
    18. Re:Hypocrisy by ultranova · · Score: 2

      I have no sympathy

      And nobody definitely has any sympathy for you either. But smart people will still defend your rights because an attack against your rights is an attack against everyone's rights, no matter how much you might "deserve" it.

      They victimized themselves with their own stupidity.

      No, they didn't. Their stupidity made it easy to victimize them. You aren't any less guilty just because your victim is weak and helpless.

      --

      Forget magic. Any technology distinguishable from divine power is insufficiently advanced.

    19. Re:Hypocrisy by lsatenstein · · Score: 1

      I have problems with American English leaving out words in sentences.

      Example, There is a new cpu and interface being introduced. "This is great!" What is the word that belongs between "This" and "is great!"

      Americans say, "There are three cards to choose from". Britishers and good writers say "There are three cards from which to choose. Or Choose from the three cards.

      There are a lot more examples that I can find to illustrate my point.
             

      --
      Leslie Satenstein Montreal Quebec Canada
  2. I have tape over my video camera by TheNarrator · · Score: 2

    I have a little inconspicuous black piece of electrical tape over my webcam. I take it off whenever I need to video conference, which is not very often. I just don't get why they don't put a small manual shutter over the webcam on laptops. I guess grandma wouldn't figure out how to operate it or something.

    1. Re:I have tape over my video camera by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Interesting

      ...and a physical switch to disconnect the microphone. On the other hand, people have paid me to flip the WLAN enable switch on laptops, so I understand that manufacturers don't want to shoulder the cost. It's not just the 2ct hardware switch; it's also restocking perfectly good devices because the users think their device is broken when all they needed to do was flip a switch.

    2. Re:I have tape over my video camera by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      put a small manual shutter over the webcam

      Yes, this. Also, when the shutter is closed it should open a switch, electrically disconnecting the microphone.

    3. Re:I have tape over my video camera by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Right - because when I don't want video, I also don't want to be able to make phone calls via my computer. Oh, wait - I DO. So what you suggest is silly. We would need to have separate switches - one for audio, one for video.

    4. Re: I have tape over my video camera by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      We bought a set of Dell AIO PCs for a training hub at work, and they all have a physical shutter over the web cam. It's super obvious when the shutter is closed and the switch to open it is huge and unmissable.

      Some manufacturers are learning, but this still isn't implemented on all of their product lines (and they don't even advertise the feature in the specs). But this is definitely something tha more companies need to consider.

    5. Re:I have tape over my video camera by U2xhc2hkb3QgU3Vja3M · · Score: 1

      What about making the camera shutter three positions? Off (covers camera), audio only (also covers camera), video and audio. With appropriate electrical switches to enable/disable the audio and video, of course.

    6. Re:I have tape over my video camera by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Tired of it: Why the f#ck is it always "Grandma"? I haven't noticed the average Grandpas keeping up with the tech times any better--possibly the opposite.

    7. Re:I have tape over my video camera by AmiMoJo · · Score: 2

      Years ago when I was working as a computer tech I saw a lot of people had stuck things over their webcams. It seems like a feature that is in demand from consumers. I'm really surprised that manufacturers have not picked up on this and started offering it.

      --
      const int one = 65536; (Silvermoon, Texture.cs)
      SJW, n: "Someone I don't like, and by the way I'm a fuckwit" - AC
    8. Re: I have tape over my video camera by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      But sometimes I want video without audio, you insensitive clod!

    9. Re:I have tape over my video camera by MrL0G1C · · Score: 0

      Re win10, can you confirm you can turn windows update off simply by disabling it via services.msc?

      --
      Waterfox - a Firefox fork with legacy extension support, security updates and better privacy by default.
    10. Re: I have tape over my video camera by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Because grandma is a woman, and people are misogynistic. Next!

    11. Re:I have tape over my video camera by antdude · · Score: 1

      What about physically disable mic(rophone)s? Sure, some devices have physical and software switches, but do you trust them? At least with cameras, physical covers (e.g., tapes) is not hackable.

      --
      Ant(Dude) @ Quality Foraged Links (AQFL.net) & The Ant Farm (antfarm.ma.cx / antfarm.home.dhs.org).
    12. Re: I have tape over my video camera by jabuzz · · Score: 1

      Or could because women live longer on average (turns out fighting wars and dangerous work place environments are not good for a long life), so you are more likely to have an elderly grandma than an elderly granddad.

    13. Re: I have tape over my video camera by MenThal · · Score: 1

      Because car analogies Grandpa can understand.

    14. Re:I have tape over my video camera by phorm · · Score: 1

      "I just don't get why they don't put a small manual shutter over the webcam on laptops"

      Actually on some brands/models they do. I have an Asus with a manual shutter.

  3. Simple solution by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Every webcam or device capable of capturing video that is sold should have a tax added to it that is placed into a fund that is used to pay for policing this. Problem solved.

  4. Google profits from it too by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    YouTube is still by far the #1 largest website on the planet for pirated content.

  5. Has your been stolen and posted to YouTube? by rakslice · · Score: 2

    Has your been stolen and posted to YouTube?
    Fill out this nice form and they will take it down.
    https://support.google.com/you...

    Nothing to see here; move along.

    1. Re:Has your been stolen and posted to YouTube? by KGIII · · Score: 1

      It seems you accidentally a bottle.

      --
      "So long and thanks for all the fish."
  6. Digital Citizen Alliance MPAA tool by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

    DCA is an MPAA funded attack dog it regularly sics on Google. Techdirt has a number of articles where the DCA is involved in a some state AG's cases driven by the MPAA. https://www.techdirt.com/blog/?company=digital+citizens+alliance

  7. the real cause by mosdave · · Score: 2

    DCA says these videos collectively have millions of views on YouTube, and that Google is part of the reason hackers can profit from it.

    I would l like to see the utility companies providing the electricity held accountable.

    1. Re:the real cause by U2xhc2hkb3QgU3Vja3M · · Score: 1

      I would l like to see the companies who made the devices held accountable.

    2. Re:the real cause by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I would like to see the persons who made those videos held accountable.

  8. Youtube isnt the problem. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    The problem is shit security on these IP cams.
    Most of the ones that "hackers" are using have the default password and will showup in the SHOWDEN database.

    If you want to stop people from entering houses with no alarms, front door wide open, and a note saying that the owner is away on vacation, Then lock the door and get an alarm. Don't blame Ebay for allowing the thieves to sell the wares.

    This new trend of never blame this victim is silly. In many cases, it is partially the victims responsibility.

  9. please mod parent UP by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    the DCA is nothing but a shill organization made to attack Google and other big new media companies on behalf of Old Media. This is yet another attack with no solution offered, in order to make Google look bad.

    1. Re:please mod parent UP by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Which I believe is something MPAA or RIAA were planning on doing "in the near future" according to recently leaked documents mentioned here on an earlier submission iirc.

  10. Webcam covers by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    If you never want to use the built-in webcam on your laptop or tablet, black electricians tape works well. If you might want to use it once in a while and keep it covered the rest of the time, there are several types of covers available that are removable/reusable.

    None of my laptops have a webcam, and the one on my tablet is covered because I never use it. Same with the microphones!

    1. Re:Webcam covers by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      If you never want to use the built-in webcam on your laptop or tablet, black electricians tape works well.

      I agree. I keep my penis wrapped in electrical tape, and so far have not been the victim of revenge porn.

  11. Just use virtual tape! by Sloppy · · Score: 1

    Some people want one master switch, some people want multiple switches and some people want one switch with multiple settings, huh? I've got a solution to all this.

    Just have it be software-controlled, and then people can choose whether to use "basic" or "advanced" GUI. Everyone wins, and it's mechanically simpler, too!

    --
    As copyright owner of this comment, I authorize everyone to defeat any technological measure which limits access to it.
    1. Re:Just use virtual tape! by U2xhc2hkb3QgU3Vja3M · · Score: 1

      And then you can't trust that the hardware complies with the software because of the NSA, etc.

  12. Sounds Perfect by Kunedog · · Score: 2

    The problem, as anyone who has had a problem with Google and needed to talk to a human knows, is that Google doesn't have a lot of staff to deal with this kind of thing. They try to have an algorithm detect and deal with abuses, but they're often wrong or inadequate which leaves regular people without a lot of options.

    All of that is probably an advantage in DCA's eyes. They see Youtube's "accusation == guilty until proven innocent (plus the kafkaesque nightmare of trying to file an appeal with the automated scripts/machines)" copyright reporting system, and they want Google to implement something similar in their favor.

    And they have a good chance of getting it, too, because Google will just want to make them to go away.

  13. Re:Google to DCA by U2xhc2hkb3QgU3Vja3M · · Score: 1, Funny

    We cordially invite you to eat a bag of dicks.

    It looks like someone can help you.

  14. Re:Webcams are for cows. by U2xhc2hkb3QgU3Vja3M · · Score: 1

    https://www.google.com/search?...

  15. huh? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    How is Google supposed to know if a video is stolen?

  16. Re:Google to DCA by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Funny

    I'm going bankrupt and there are still dozens of recipients on my list!

  17. Isn't this too easy? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    It's very obvious who owns the copyright so DMCA that stuff

  18. comment subjects are dumb by Falos · · Score: 1

    >and that freely-usable, indexed video hosting is part of the reason hackers can profit from it.

    Yeah, no, that's a thing we want to keep. Find a less nuclear, less lazy solution, or accept it as one of the inconvenient-yet-inescapable truths: Distribution exists.

     I sympathize when legislation wants to (try and) steer a technology, but sometimes it's like they think they can uninvent it. And you could argue that stopped being a thing sometime around, what, the invention of books?