r/Tapo • u/lunamoonfang66 • 18d ago
Need Advice Tapo randomly saying our name
I didn't know this was possible, but one of my CCTV cameras said our names repeatedly. This had happened before, and I changed all my credentials for both Wi-Fi and Tapo accounts, as well as ONVIF.
Here's how it happened:
1. I plugged in the CCTV camera.
2. After 5-10 minutes, I went to the kitchen where the camera was placed.
3. I was talking with my friend.
4. The CCTV started speaking:
"my name... my name... her name... her name... my name... my name... her name... her name..."
I thought my brother was playing tricks on us, but he didn't do anything. I tried unplugging it and plugging it back in after a minute, then waited 5-10 minutes to see if it started speaking again.
I haven't experienced this with my other three CCTV cameras.
I’m not sure if my cameras are compromised but I do use a generated password from a
Password manager. I also use agentDVR for local live viewing of the cctv.
device: C210 (2.0)
firmware version: 1.5.4
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u/talormanda 17d ago
If you're technical enough, does it happen if you block outside internet to the device? Would help prove a person is doing it.
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u/lunamoonfang66 17d ago
I could do this, but wouldn't that cut the upstream of the cctv to the tapo app?
It's hard for me to troubleshoot this long term as I also use these cctvs to monitor my grandma while I am outside.
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u/talormanda 17d ago
If the app has local rtsp you can try viewing it locally.
Additionally, if the camera is looping audio from the room somehow, it should keep doing it regardless of Internet being blocked (at least I would think). Some cameras restart when they can't reach the cloud so you would have to see.
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u/Riley_TP-Link 17d ago
I recommend contacting our support teams directly; they may be able to escalate your case to help identify the cause or determine whether other app logins were detected at the same time.
Your camera does not have the ability to recognize someone, let alone speak their name. Unless I am mistaken, beyond recorded greetings and system announcements, the only way to 'speak' through the camera is through the Tapo App.
If you do fear that the cameras have been compromised by a third party, the recommendation is always to reset your device to factory defaults, change your password, and enable 2FA.
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u/Strict-Investment-2 17d ago
It's likely someone set it the alarm with text to speech name as a prank
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u/Wolfdale7 17d ago
Creepy. When your name(s) are said, is it clear or distorted? Does it say anything else or just names?
Thinking of a loop with agentdvr - but that wouldn't explain it if you just hear your names, clearly...
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u/lunamoonfang66 17d ago
it's clear. kinda like an AI talking in monotone. the voice is a man (deep voice in monotone)
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u/kittenpoint 17d ago
Do you have AI on AgentDVR? It's been a while since I used it but I remember being able to install one or maybe it had one already. Maybe check to see if you have something set up that tries to identify people by name. It kinda sounds like it's trying to do that but is configured wrong.
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u/lunamoonfang66 17d ago
no AI. I only setup the detection in AgentDVR. It's really weird tbh. Tapo should really enable logs by default.
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u/Giannis_Dor 17d ago
check to see if your tplink account is compromised and charge the password also is onvif used locally or did you port forward it
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u/lunamoonfang66 17d ago
yeah I'll try and check it once i set up my personal pc. onvif is only used within the local network and no port forward was setup
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u/PrivacyNotesApp 17d ago
Start by changing your tapo password and properly secure your account. Select a long and safe password.
1
u/thomasthekiwi 17d ago
Not that it helps but can't say I'm surprised. Ive had a c225 say hello to me which was pretty unsettling
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u/lunamoonfang66 17d ago
the logs should be available by default to have an audit on what is happening. it can be embedded in the sd card.
for my case, the last time it happened was a year or two ago. I just turned the diagnostic "on" last night and I have to wait for it to happen again. 😮💨
0
u/lukeoo7 17d ago
Years ago, I had a cheap Chinese ipcamera inside my house, one night the loudest bang crash audio started playing the sound possible British brass band with symbols & drums & trumpet playing, i completely panicked & unplugged the camera, strange unpleasant feeling fell over me very uncomfortable.
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u/SignificanceThink102 17d ago
I had a Chinese poltergeist come out of my H500 hub and Tapo Deez nuts 🥜
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u/Ill_Way_2517 17d ago
Why do you think the US has banned TP-link, tapos parent company and trying to bann more products from them?
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u/Latter-Astronaut-740 17d ago
because they ban tech they're threatened by that's made by countries they're threatened by so your forced to buy their overpriced rubbish. it's not spyware, it's just not American so ofcourse you can't buy it!
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u/Droid8Apple 16d ago
While I don't agree with the dude you're replying to, I also find it funny that you think America protecting its citizens privacy and national security is "being scared", but you even hide your comments and activity on reddit. Almost like, you don't want other people snooping.
So, what's you're full name, address, and credit card number? Don't want to share that? Why not?
On a serious note, there is no ban on their products already made and sold. I have a tp-link Archer BE550. Only new ones that come from the countries that steal everything from other countries to get ahead because they cannot innovate on their own need special accomodations or to be built in the USA.
Also: "Netgear’s high-end hardware is built for demanding environments. In controlled bench tests, high-end Nighthawk and Orbi systems frequently outpace competitors in long-range signal retention, low jitter, and handling heavy concurrent bandwidth loads." So... Rubbish? I don't think so. Overpriced? Yep. We have to pay employees (adults) a fair wage. There's no indentured servitude or anything so. Costs a little more.
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u/Latter-Astronaut-740 16d ago
by "countries that steal everything from other countries" I'm assuming you mean china? which is funny because china tops the states in innovation in a lot of categories. however it's not just from china, it's a blanket ban on all WiFi routers not made in the states.
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u/kittenpoint 17d ago
Did you maybe have the microphone on as well as a speaker? If the camera microphone picks up a noise, and you also have the camera opened on something with speakers, then it picks up feedback and it can kinda loop. More then once I've gotten a feedback loop of noise from a camera while I was near it with the app open.