Tapo camers, can't delete videos!

samopn

I have a couple Tapo security cameras and video doorbell.

It turns out that, unless you have a cloud subscription for storing your video clips, therr is no way to delete videos, other than by formatting the sd card or taking the card out and putting it in a computer.

This seems to me to be against the data protection act, which requires you to delete videos of people in a timely manner...

So, are they making us break the law by not providing this?

There's a feature requst forum and there's a thread asking for this that's been live for at least 3 years but it's being ignored.

If you're considering a Tapo doorbell or security camera I'd go elsewhere, unless they sort this out.

MattMattMattUK

samopn said:

I have a couple Tapo security cameras and video doorbell.

It turns out that, unless you have a cloud subscription for storing your video clips, therr is no way to delete videos, other than by formatting the sd card or taking the card out and putting it in a computer.

This seems to me to be against the data protection act, which requires you to delete videos of people in a timely manner...

So, are they making us break the law by not providing this?

There's a feature requst forum and there's a thread asking for this that's been live for at least 3 years but it's being ignored.

If you're considering a Tapo doorbell or security camera I'd go elsewhere, unless they sort this out.

It is not in breach of the DPA, neither are they making you break the DPA because you can delete the video by other means. In all fairness the ICO is not going to get involved because you have some videos on a doorbell that you have not deleted after a few months.

WIAWSNB

If the card is, say, 128GB, it should overwrite every 2 to 3 weeks? In which case, no data breach. 

AfaIu.

shiraz99

Are you sure about this? I've got a Tapo C200 camera and have always had the ability to delete individual recordings, in fact I've just tested it now and deleted as normal. FYI, I don't have a cloud subscription.

greyteam1959

@samopn
What model Tapo camera are you talking about ??

vic_sf49

shiraz99 said:

Are you sure about this? I've got a Tapo C200 camera and have always had the ability to delete individual recordings, in fact I've just tested it now and deleted as normal. FYI, I don't have a cloud subscription.

There's no obvious way in the app, that I've found yet (only just looked), to delete individual recordings. (Might do an internet search to see if/how it's done.) 

C310 cameras. Set to record on motion / person detection. Recording to memory card. No cloud subscription. 

Although I should add, I don't want to delete any, as the memory card overwrite, which is sufficient for following data rules. 

Memory card is formattable via the app, should a total wipe of data ever be needed. 

samal

Hi
I have C210 and cannot delete either 

rach_k

Mine is a D230 and I can't see a way to delete individual recordings, but I can delete everything by going to the device settings, then Storage & Recording, Local Storage.  There's an option to clear all recordings.

I just go through once a month, keep anything I want to keep by downloading it to my phone (the kids like to mess around) and then clear the rest.  It's a bit annoying when I just want to delete footage of myself looking like an absolute buffoon.  

WIAWSNB

Just gone through my Imou's menu, and can find where it lists all the recordings in 5-minute blocks within each hour.
'Ticking' one allows its individual download, but - no - not its deletion. A further menu gives just 'Snapshot', 'Edit' (it first downloads), and 8-second back and forth viewing. Nice stuff!
Why no individual 'deletion', I don't know, but I personally can't see any time I'd want this - even skinny-dipping would be over-wiped in a few weeks... Perhaps it would also add issues when it comes to over-writing, that would need software tweaks to cope with?
I'd message Tapo, and ask if it's a feature they are considering adding. 

greyteam1959

If the OP it's not going to tell us the model number of the camera how can anybody give them any help ??

Le_Kirk

Have you tried the Tapo forum?  There is a very knowledgeable chap on there called Wayne (unless he is an AI bot!)
https://community.tp-link.com/en/smart-home/forum/613