Key flaw?

Technology media believe that Amazon’s new “Key” service – through which customers can allow couriers access to their homes through a smart lock and monitor the delivery via a Cloud Cam – may have encountered a problem.

According to reports published today (16 November) by Wired and The Verge, the Cloud Cam could be frozen by a program run from a computer within WiFi range.

What this means is that the customers could see the courier entering the property, delivering the parcel and closing the door in real time. But at this point, security researchers told Wired, the camera could be frozen and taken offline; so, while the customers thinks the door is still closed and the property secure, the courier -or someone else – could re-enter the building unobserved.

According to Wired, Amazon has issued a statement saying it is introducing an update to the system this week which would address this potential concern. “We currently notify customers if the camera is offline for an extended period,” said Amazon. “Later this week we will deploy an update to more quickly provide notifications if the camera goes offline during delivery.”