In recent times, law enforcement has adopted body cameras to promote transparency. These devices are purported to accurately document events from the perspective of the policeman, ideally providing an unbiased record. Nonetheless, recent research reveals the alarming cybersecurity vulnerabilities these body cameras are riddled with, sparking debates about manipulated evidence and personnel safety.

Security consultant Josh Mitchell presented startling findings at the DefCon security conference, demonstrating how current body camera technologies are vulnerable to various digital hacks, some of which could potentially allow for fabricated evidence. Mitchell scrutinized five body camera models obtained from Vievu, Patrol Eyes, Fire Cam, Digital Ally, and CeeSc, all of which are companies supplying body cameras to law enforcement agencies in the United States. Noteworthy is the absence of Axon, the current market leader, from his study.

A disconcerting common thread running through these five different models was that an unauthorized user, other than Digital Ally, could break into their systems. This individual could potentially download or delete footage, or even intricately tamper with the existing data, subsequently re-uploading it without leaving any trace of alteration.

In his words, Mitchell asserted, "I can connect to the cameras, log in, view media, modify media, make changes to the file structures. Those are big issues."

Additionally, it＊s not just the bodycams that are under scrutiny. Mitchell found that their associated ecosystem comprising mobile apps, desktop software, and cloud platforms also demonstrate weak security measures. More advanced bodycams with Bluetooth or cellular data radios present opportunities for attackers to stream live footage remotely or tamper with the stored images.

Underscoring the magnitude of the problem, Mitchell states, "With some of these vulnerabilities, it's just appalling. There are issues for each of the five devices I looked at that are specific to that device, but there are also trends in general across all of them. They are missing many modern mitigations and defenses."

For instance, none of the analyzed cameras use cryptographic signing, considered a basic security measure, to verify the validity of firmware updates. This omission paves the way for a hacker to create and inject harmful firmware in these devices without being detected.

The findings also revealed that the body cameras do not possess a cryptographic mechanism to verify the authenticity of the videos they record. As a consequence, when these devices synchronize with a cloud server or station PC, the reliability of the footage becomes questionable, sparking worries over the potential for doctored evidence.

Interestingly, certain higher-end models have the capability to generate their Wi-Fi access point, allowing other devices to tether to their private network. Mitchell found that this feature also lacks sufficient authentication measures, allowing any device to connect and access its data.

Describing the grave possibilities this scenario could create, Jay Stanley, a senior policy analyst at the American Civil Liberties Union, expressed, "The fact that some law enforcement evidence-collecting devices can be hacked evokes some true nightmare scenarios."

In the wake of these disclosures, Mitchell has been actively working with the vendors to address the identified weaknesses. While Axon and Patrol Eyes have claimed to be in the process of fortifying their systems, other vendors have yet to publicly respond.

This research underscores the urgent need for intensive security audits and improvements in bodycam technologies. In the wrong hands, these devices could inadvertently shift from tools of transparency to weapons of mass deception.

Addressing the systemic problems in these devices are paramount as they play a significant role in public safety and social justice. However, tackling these issues will require a concentrated collective effort from manufacturers, law enforcement agencies, and cybersecurity experts alike. Arguably, until then, these body cameras will remain ※full-feature computers walking around on your chest§ with significant vulnerabilities.