When selecting a system, prioritize these features to maintain your home's privacy:

Unless you specifically need audio for doorbell conversations, turn it off. Audio is subject to stricter laws and captures more sensitive information than video. On many cameras, you can physically disconnect the mic or disable it via software.

: DIY installation has overtaken professional setups, with 49% of users installing their own systems. 2. Privacy Risks and Technical Vulnerabilities

Home security cameras are not inherently evil. They have solved real problems—catching porch pirates, exonerating innocent people, and providing comfort to traveling parents. But a camera that never blinks, never forgets, and shares with strangers is no longer a security tool; it is a surveillance apparatus.

: Noted as a top deterrent for burglars with straightforward privacy controls.