In a recent decision, 360 has chosen to permanently disable the water droplet live broadcast feature. According to an official from the company, the water droplet live broadcast was initially designed as an innovative product aimed at meeting user needs. However, during its operation, some of its functions have sparked controversy and may have been misused. The live broadcast and security monitoring features are two distinct functions on the 360 smart camera. Most users primarily use the device for surveillance purposes. Those who engage in live broadcasting must go through several complicated steps to activate the feature. Placing these two functions on the same hardware, however, can lead to confusion, which is something the company acknowledges and reflects upon.
Zhang Xisheng, the product manager of the water droplet live broadcast, stated: “We have implemented AI technologies to protect user privacy while still supporting those who wish to live stream. Despite the efforts of our technical team, we found that the technology isn’t universally effective. Given our commitment to user responsibility and the customer-first philosophy, after careful consideration, we decided to turn off the water droplet live broadcast.â€
After a period of deep reflection and extensive testing, 360 made the decision to permanently disable the water droplet broadcast. Prior to this, the company had already taken action by removing all live streams from public areas with high foot traffic, leaving only public welfare broadcasts such as poverty alleviation and ecological agriculture.
Since the beginning of this year, 360 has introduced various measures to enhance user privacy protection. These include changing campus broadcasts to private sharing, where only authorized teachers can set passwords and parents can view content by entering them. Free stickers were provided to merchants, who were required to post clear notices before starting a live broadcast. A user reporting channel was also established, with 24-hour manual review to handle privacy concerns. The report button was made more visible, allowing users to report issues easily.
With the water droplet feature now permanently disabled, the 360 smart camera will focus solely on its core security monitoring function. Since its launch in 2015, the device has sold over 5 million units, praised for its security and convenience. Additionally, 360 continues to donate smart cameras to kindergartens nationwide, having already donated over 2,000 units. These devices serve as essential tools for ensuring children’s safety and building trust between parents and teachers.
The water droplet live broadcast was not an independent product but rather a platform driven by user demand. It did not generate revenue and operated as a public welfare initiative. While only a small percentage of 360 smart camera users utilized the live broadcast feature, the company emphasized that security remained the primary function and user need. Therefore, the live broadcast was disabled by default, requiring users to manually go through five steps to enable it, along with strict background verification.
360 has never encouraged businesses to open live broadcasts or shared smart cameras with merchants. The device itself functions as a standard video recorder, storing footage locally with a "360" watermark. It does not interfere with what users record or perform content checks. Any indecent videos circulating online were captured by criminals using 360 cameras, which are unrelated to the company.
The 360 smart camera is considered one of the most secure devices in the industry, having passed rigorous security tests and offering substantial rewards for successful hacking attempts. To date, no successful breach has occurred.
Despite the controversy surrounding the water droplet live broadcast, 360 has consistently worked to improve user privacy and security. Measures included transitioning campus broadcasts to private sharing, increasing content reviews, and launching a 24-hour reporting system. Before disabling the feature, the company removed all live streams from public areas, retaining only public welfare broadcasts.
As a product manager, I reflect deeply on the challenges faced. Many users misunderstood the purpose of the smart camera, thinking that all devices were broadcasting. This led to unnecessary concern. Our original goal was to help people monitor their homes and care for loved ones. For example, in 2014, a tragic incident involving elderly individuals left alone at home prompted us to develop the smart camera.
Over time, users began requesting live streaming features, especially for showcasing pets, scenic views, and even agricultural products. While we supported these requests, we also became aware of potential privacy risks. One incident involved a school teacher broadcasting students’ activities, which led to a discussion about privacy. Surprisingly, many parents and students appreciated the feature, as it allowed them to stay connected.
This experience highlighted the importance of balancing innovation with responsibility. We realized that while live streaming could be valuable, it also posed risks, especially in public spaces. We took steps to increase the complexity of the process and added warnings for businesses. However, despite our efforts, some live broadcasts still occurred in public areas.
Ultimately, we recognized that our customers’ customers—those indirectly affected by the live streams—also deserved attention. As a company committed to being customer-first, we must ensure that all users, including those not directly interacting with our products, feel respected and protected.
To address these concerns, we explored using AI face recognition to blur faces in public areas. However, we found limitations, such as side-facing images or distant shots, which made full coverage difficult. Despite these challenges, we remain committed to finding solutions that better protect user privacy and social responsibility.
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