[Rags2Rags]

I haven't seen the internal camera discussed much. I've only seen it (shortly) shown in a few Youtube videos. I've also on seen a few quick comments posted some of these threads.

I know other vehicles already have this but for us it will be our first time with it.

I value privacy a fair bit and I don't like the idea of having a camera recording me while I'm driving. I assume there's a way to turning it off or at worse I can just put a piece of tape over it (I know... I know).

I know this could be a useful anti-theft device if it catches the thieves without face coverings. (if the cops are even willing to do anything about auto theft these days; spoiler: there's not) I'm just not sure if it's worth the invasion of privacy.

I also assume it records to the cloud and doesn't stay local within the car.

So what do you all think about the internal camera?

[lildumplinx1]

I totally get that! Super valid concern and it's worth thinking about. But to my knowledge I believe the interior camera doesn't record but only take still photos. When my anti theft alarm is triggered, it only records exterior video and snaps an interior photo.

[Supa Koopa]

What exactly could you be worried about? What could it record while you were driving you could be concerned over? Not trying to be smart, I'm genuinely interested as I don't see a problem.

[FlashMonkey929]

The way I look at it is, the government already has my photo thanks to my passport and drivers license. And there’s nothing I’d be doing in my car that I’d fear a recording got out, my backseat romance days are long gone lol. But I understand the concern, so the only sure way to disable the camera would be to cover it with tape. Disabling it in iDrive (not sure it’s possible) still leaves it open to hacking or accidental enabling. Removing it entirely would likely create a fault code.

[tex2670]

Originally Posted by Rags2Rags

I haven't seen the internal camera discussed much. I've only seen it (shortly) shown in a few Youtube videos. I've also on seen a few quick comments posted some of these threads.

I know other vehicles already have this but for us it will be our first time with it.

I value privacy a fair bit and I don't like the idea of having a camera recording me while I'm driving. I assume there's a way to turning it off or at worse I can just put a piece of tape over it (I know... I know).

I know this could be a useful anti-theft device if it catches the thieves without face coverings. (if the cops are even willing to do anything about auto theft these days; spoiler: there's not) I'm just not sure if it's worth the invasion of privacy.

I also assume it records to the cloud and doesn't stay local within the car.

So what do you all think about the internal camera?

just put something covering up the camera lens if you are concerned

[BMWZ4]

Inside cam isn't constantly recording, unlike the outside cams (assuming you've set them up to record via idrive). I wouldn't worry about it, no one is spying on you.

[tex2670]

Originally Posted by BMWZ4

Inside cam isn't constantly recording, unlike the outside cams (assuming you've set them up to record via idrive). I wouldn't worry about it, no one is spying on you.

I am.

[BMWZ4]

Originally Posted by tex2670

I am.

Well, you won't see me too often behind the wheel. My wife on the other hand, 98% of the time. I'll let her know you're watching

[Speedbird71]

Main concern for me is the depth of experience these car makers have in writing secure software. People that know what they are doing (Microsoft, apple, google, etc) constantly update to address vulnerabilities. Hopefully BMW knows what they have gotten themselves into, especially for a car that is basically on the internet 7*24.

[BMWZ4]

Originally Posted by Speedbird71

Main concern for me is the depth of experience these car makers have in writing secure software. People that know what they are doing (Microsoft, apple, google, etc) constantly update to address vulnerabilities. Hopefully BMW knows what they have gotten themselves into, especially for a car that is basically on the internet 7*24.

IoT is certainly not unique to BMW...just about every manufacturer out there has some form of internet connectivity...in any case, who the heck is going to remotely crack an interior cam...to watch me speed or tailgate...they can knock themselves out

[bluecrabby]

Originally Posted by BMWZ4

IoT is certainly not unique to BMW...just about every manufacturer out there has some form of internet connectivity...in any case, who the heck is going to remotely crack an interior cam...to watch me speed or tailgate...they can knock themselves out

my friend got her X1 and the first thing she did was to tape over the interior camera. she did it because she sometimes change her clothes in the car. I think that's a real valid concern for female owners...

[dejy]

Is this in regards to the Driver Attention Camera in the instrument cluster or does the X1 have the optional internal camera that the i7 series have?

Like this:

[FlashMonkey929]

Originally Posted by dejy

Is this in regards to the Driver Attention Camera in the instrument cluster or does the X1 have the optional internal camera that the i7 series have?

Like this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H6nNyMOBmQY&ab_channel=BMW

There is an available anti theft recorder for the interior of the car that is capable of taking still photos. In the US, it is included in the Premium Package.

[Supa Koopa]

Originally Posted by bluecrabby

my friend got her X1 and the first thing she did was to tape over the interior camera. she did it because she sometimes change her clothes in the car. I think that's a real valid concern for female owners...

You'd think she'd be more concerned about people driving or walking by as she did it. Surely anyone who changes clothes in a car isn't to prudish anyway.

As usual I think this is being blown out of proportion. It's a stills camera that needs to be hacked so that someone who really, really wants might possibly be able to time it right that they may catch a picture of someone in the dark in their underwear. Surely if they have the knowledge to do that they'll be able to work out there's much easier ways of getting pictures of good looking women with no clothes on from the internet.

[BMWZ4]

Originally Posted by Supa Koopa

You'd think she'd be more concerned about people driving or walking by as she did it. Surely anyone who changes clothes in a car isn't to prudish anyway.

As usual I think this is being blown out of proportion. It's a stills camera that needs to be hacked so that someone who really, really wants might possibly be able to time it right that they may catch a picture of someone in the dark in their underwear. Surely if they have the knowledge to do that they'll be able to work out there's much easier ways of getting pictures of good looking women with no clothes on from the internet.

Exactly. And btw, the vehicle cannot be in motion and the engine has to be running for the cam to work. You can tell your bud she can remove the tape...

[Kromans1]

Related question: I can't seem to get the car to send photos the interior canes has taken to my phone or app. Anyone know how to do this? Following the steps in the car doesn't work. Might be a connectivity issue.

[Rags2Rags]

Originally Posted by BMWZ4

Exactly. And btw, the vehicle cannot be in motion and the engine has to be running for the cam to work. You can tell your bud she can remove the tape...

Thanks for that info. Knowing it has to be standing still for the camera to even work makes me feel better. (until someone figures out how to take pics at anytime, but that's another story).

[ronime]

Originally Posted by Speedbird71

Main concern for me is the depth of experience these car makers have in writing secure software. People that know what they are doing (Microsoft, apple, google, etc) constantly update to address vulnerabilities. Hopefully BMW knows what they have gotten themselves into, especially for a car that is basically on the internet 7*24.

There is a school of thought that says if Microsoft, Google, Apple et al genuinely knew what they were doing then the vulnerabilities would not be introduced in the first place.

Right now, I am more concerned about Tesla's crappy auto-pilot software than BMW trying to take a peek down my wife's shirt while she is driving.

[SSSPconcepts]

Originally Posted by Rags2Rags

I haven't seen the internal camera discussed much. I've only seen it (shortly) shown in a few Youtube videos. I've also on seen a few quick comments posted some of these threads.

I know other vehicles already have this but for us it will be our first time with it.

I value privacy a fair bit and I don't like the idea of having a camera recording me while I'm driving. I assume there's a way to turning it off or at worse I can just put a piece of tape over it (I know... I know).

I know this could be a useful anti-theft device if it catches the thieves without face coverings. (if the cops are even willing to do anything about auto theft these days; spoiler: there's not) I'm just not sure if it's worth the invasion of privacy.

I also assume it records to the cloud and doesn't stay local within the car.

So what do you all think about the internal camera?

I just picked up my X1 and honestly, getting the inside camera to work is a pain. Whenever I try to access it when I am in the car while it is running (in park or moving), I get an error. It does work quite well while the vehicle is parked and turned off. I thought it would be good to have if someone broke into the car but my experience is that it is pretty useless.

[BMWZ4]

Originally Posted by SSSPconcepts

I just picked up my X1 and honestly, getting the inside camera to work is a pain. Whenever I try to access it when I am in the car while it is running (in park or moving), I get an error. It does work quite well while the vehicle is parked and turned off. I thought it would be good to have if someone broke into the car but my experience is that it is pretty useless.

Weird...works every time I try it