A curious conversation with a surveillance company

Hello everyone, I wish to recount something that happened this past weekend. I received time off from federal training and decided to fly back and visit my parents. Having awoken at 5am every day I was exceptionally jetlagged and tired, and on saturday I ended up sleeping until after noon.

I was awoken by a knock on the door. I put on clothes and stumbled my way there, and upon opening it there were two individuals walking away down the driveway. Suspecting it may be a package delivery I called out to them and they returned.

There was a male perhaps in his 30s and a female around 20. Surely enough they were carrying a box with goods inside and clipboards. They informed me that they worked for Vivint and were selling home security systems. These were supposedly advanced camera systems with both live monitoring and recording, with the ability to check instantly from anywhere in the world via a smartphone app. They ably demonstrated for me and showcased the capabilities. The primary device was a doorbell replacement with an embedded camera:



What intrigued me was that they also set up cameras elsewhere within the house. While they emphasized privacy, I could not help but think of the "live monitoring" of the doorbell camera. Surely if they could access this, they could just as easily access the others? Not to mention that if a smartphone app could access them, I am sure a proficient hacker could figure out a backdoor into it as well.

After voicing a few concerns the man blurted out that Google was a trustworthy company and re-emphasized the privacy and control over the system. I inquired about Google and he quickly changed the subject and acted as if he had not meant to mention it. Needless to say my curiosity was piqued and I asked where I could find more information. They happily gave me the web address but informed me that only the homeowner could have the system installed. Why, I know not - but I suspect for some sort of legal reason. My conspiratorial mind figured perhaps they were looking for more permanent clients, as they were a subscription service.

Of course I had to look into this more, and found some interesting information.



Vivint was acquired by The Blackstone Group in 2012. Blackstone's founder, chairman, and CEO? Stephen Schwarzman, an active member of the globalist Council on Foreign Relations. I am sure it is a coincidence that he was also initiated into Skull and Bones.

So we have a company owned by a globalist Skull-and-Bones CFR member supposedly backed by a Google initiative installing cameras with 24/7 remote monitoring in houses nationwide. The same Google that spies on your Gmail account and monitors your driving. The same CFR that thinks use equals consent and that mass datamining is the way of the future.

It scares me that a foreign entity could remotely open your locks, know when you are home alone, remotely control your car, or even watch you passively. Am I merely paranoid, or is this the beginning of a 1984 scenario with cameras monitoring your every move? What do you think?

Good stuff.

I think you are correct on all counts. Scary information indeed, 95% of us in modern countries live in a survellience state today, the remaining 5% is what these henchmen want and that is what you do behind closed doors and easier access if they need to "investigate" you without your consent. The worst part is you won't have a clue until they arrest you one day when you are enjoying a day at the house.

The average run of the mill consumer who sees this stuff will think these new gadgets and gizmos are a marvel and will happily install them without a second thought.

Once a good percentage of the population has these it will make the task of watching their habits,comings and goings, possible criminal -"loosely defined" intentions known to the authorities.

All they have to do is make a stop by your house and take you in for questioning.

1920's-1940's = New Age Remix Part 2

I agree that it is very intrusive and I don't personally know anyone who would buy their service, if they understood the program, as you described it.

Did your parents ask for them to come demonstrate, or did the sales crew just show up at the door?

If they just showed up, I wonder how they choose to "target" your parents?

Good post. Thank you.

a reply to: SargonThrall

The same Google that spies on your Gmail account and monitors your driving.

The same Google that has mass-produced nano tracking devices.

So I have a subscription to Vivint; I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone, but not necessarily because of the points you make, but because they are two expensive. There are other comparable products on the market that are cheaper and do not come with a contract.

When I got the subscription I was working a lot of hours and nights; and it was a good solution to keep my young family safer. I did not take the time to find cheaper products; I did my research on this product and it was adequate to my needs, so I went with it.

As for your concerns; they are certainly valid and something someone must always consider when adapting to new technology. But I do think a lot of the concern can be mitigated if the user is willing to put in the work to control the system rather than having the system control the user.

For example; the cameras you spoke of are installed in my house (by me) in such a fashion that they only can capture video of what is important to home security. They do not have the ability to capture the mundane of my daily life. They also work over my home LAN (not WIFI) which I regularly monitor for traffic use and have not noticed any miss use.

However if a user where less tech savvy and had the Vivint company do the complete install; they could easily be broadcasting information they may not want to and are unaware of.

Also from what I read Vivint sales tactics are also a point of concern. I have read a lot of dissatisfied customers say they were pushed into buying the service by less than truthful sales reps and not given adequate time to evaluate before contract locked them into it.

a reply to: ezramullins
Ah my apologies, I implied though did not outwardly state that my parents were out at the time, hence why I had to wake up to answer the door. I am unsure why they were targeted (if targeted at all) but their house is one of the oldest ones in the area.

I also forgot to mention that the company was offering free equipment and installation, the monthly fee being the only cost. One of my friends in marketing referred to this as the "drug dealer's tactic", wherein a free sample gets someone hooked, generating more money in the long run. At any rate, I think that if anything could make people give up their rights, it would be free stuff!

My neighbor has this!

Well this version anyway

Its actually pretty cool, if your not home it rings your phone and if its lets say a delivery you can advise them on the best place for the parcel!

Although i see the reservations! if this was initiated nationwide in every house hold (which i highly doubt!) then we may be subject to a new threat or issue for home safety!

a reply to: DanDanDat
Absolutely friend, and I think that the concept is wonderful in theory. It is who is behind it that concerns me. And I suspect that 90+ percent of the population is not as tech-savvy as you, and apathetic to boot. "The Patriot Act is for your protection", type.

originally posted by: ezramullins
I agree that it is very intrusive and I don't personally know anyone who would buy their service, if they understood the program, as you described it.

Did your parents ask for them to come demonstrate, or did the sales crew just show up at the door?

If they just showed up, I wonder how they choose to "target" your parents?

Good post. Thank you.

From what I read; Vivint choses an area to sell too based on their ability to service the equipment and based on the demographics to want and ability to pay for the service. Than then simply go door to door trying to sign up as many people as possible. They are known to Bus sales reps in from other areas in to widen their ability to canvas an area. I imagine the OP’s parents weren’t “targeted” so much as they were the next house on the block.

a reply to: SargonThrall

Hell, no, you aren't paranoid...you are awake.

I take all kinds of countermeasures against people invading my privacy. I think it is just prudent based on only what they admit to because what they don't admit to is probably 100x worse.

If YOU install the cameras and they're on the LAN like DanDanDat mentioned, then there is no real problem. It's a nifty product but it's a shame it's too expensive.


Cameras aren't the enemy, it's who gets access to them that we've got to worry about. I wouldn't want some hacker (or some shady surveillance group) watching me sleep, watching when we/I go in and out of the door... knowing when we're home or not.

Don't worry those camera's will only be approved for the use of the FBI,CIA,NSA, SS service, and HOMELAND SECURITY. All in the name of public safety and your willing ability to give up your privacy. It's only fair we abide to the new technology we should all be greatful for!

a reply to: SargonThrall

Nope, I definitely share you concerns with third-party camera monitoring and data storage.

We're currently looking for a decent system with about 4 cameras for a home that we're having built, and I'm certainly looking for an in-home DVR system versus storage on a cloud. I was also originally looking for a completely wireless system (including cameras), but the more I thought about it, the more that hard-wiring makes sense to keep people capable of hacking those cameras out of my business.

I'm not a generally paranoid man, but when it comes to my family's privacy, I'm not willing to leave that in the hands of a third party, never knowing what they're actually doing with the recorded footage.

Good job in your research.

originally posted by: SargonThrall
At any rate, I think that if anything could make people give up their rights, it would be free stuff!

Well, that, and the (false?) promise of security.

I have actually been a past customer of Vivint, and I have to say the service is cool, but I dropped out about 2012 due to them changing my control panel emergency code.

My smoke alarms went off twice over a few months because we steamed up the bathroom(the detector is next to the door), if you dont get to the wall mounted control panel within 20 seconds and type in the code, the fire dept is dispatched automatically. It helps if they dont change your code to default after system updates.

I got charged for the second visit because it was the second visit for the same problem. Steamy bathroom and an ever changing code.

As far as NWO bog Brother stuff, I'm not interesting enough to monitor.

Google's new slogan 'Be less evil than Mephistopheles'.

Great OP, Sargon. Thank you for putting together this information for us!

My question is- do we really need these security systems? Do we install these things because our homes actually need this kind of protection, or do we install these things because it would be a good idea IF we ever had a break-in?

I wonder how many people who get these systems have ACTUALLY been broken into in the past? Or do they get them because they MIGHT be robbed some day?

Am I merely paranoid


Nah, I have tape over my laptop webcam

originally posted by: acackohfcc
Am I merely paranoid


Nah, I have tape over my laptop webcam

Same here, been doing it for years

Maybe he mentioned Google because they are probably their main competitor with this: nest.com...

Nest is very fishy. It has been a flop but Google is still pushing it.

But the real killer is: madeby.google.com...