Can Anyone See My Arlo Camera?

Yes, others can potentially view your Arlo camera's feed, but only if you, as the account owner, explicitly grant them access. Arlo systems are designed with a primary administrative user for full control, while also providing a "Friends" feature to allow trusted individuals limited viewing access.

How Arlo Camera Access Works

Your Arlo account is designed with a hierarchical access structure to ensure security and control.

Administrative User

Every Arlo account has only one registered administrative user. This user has complete control over the entire Arlo system, including:

• Adding and removing cameras and devices.
• Adjusting all camera settings and modes.
• Managing the video library.
• Handling account and billing information.
• Granting or revoking access for other users.

The "Friends" Feature

To allow other people to view your cameras without giving them full administrative control, Arlo provides a "Friends" feature. When you add someone as a "Friend" to your account, they gain specific, limited permissions.

Friends can do the following:

• View live streams from your cameras.
• View video clips stored in your Arlo video library.
• Favorite video clips for easy access.

However, Friends typically cannot do the following:

• Modify camera settings or modes.
• Add new devices or remove existing ones.
• Access or change account details or billing information.

This distinction ensures that while others can monitor what's happening, you retain ultimate control over your system's configuration and security.

Granting Access to Your Arlo Camera

Sharing access to your Arlo camera is a controlled process initiated by the administrative user. You invite individuals to be "Friends" through the Arlo application or web portal. This method ensures that you have full control over who can see your camera's feed. You can easily add or remove "Friends" at any time, giving you flexibility and immediate control over access permissions.

Important Considerations for Sharing Access

When deciding to share access to your Arlo camera, it's crucial to consider privacy and security implications.

• Trust is Key: Only grant access to individuals you fully trust, such as family members or close friends, as they will be able to see live footage and recorded videos.
• Privacy Awareness: Be mindful that shared users can view sensitive moments captured by your camera. Inform anyone you grant access about the areas covered by your cameras and any privacy expectations.
• Account Security: Encourage "Friends" to maintain strong, unique passwords for their Arlo login to prevent unauthorized access to their shared viewing capabilities.
• Understanding User Roles: The table below summarizes the typical differences in access levels between an administrative user and a friend user:

For more general information on securing your smart home devices, you might want to consult home security best practices.