ATTN ENGINEERS: SERIOUS Privacy Issues with Camera operation while in HOME mode.

Whenever the system is armed or disarmed, the cameras start recording.  There isn't any way I know of to change that behavior.  I agree with what you're saying.  I don't like it either.

SS does not monitor these forums.  You are very unlikely to get an answer to your question here.  You can try giving them a call, but it's been hit or miss lately as to whether you'll get anyone.  They haven't been responsive lately and they keep hanging up on people when someone does get through.

I suggest not holding your breath for this change, you'll just go unconscious. Get rid of the cameras or put something over them if it is that bothersome. Cold & hard, but that's honest assessment based on any number of widespread product feature/change requests without action for years.
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SS is designed the way they think it should be.  They seldom have any interest in another design alternative.

If you don't like the way the cameras operate, don't have them (or at least not in places where you don't want them going off).

So basically what your saying is you don't like the fact that the camera automatically records for approximately 25 seconds when the alarm is activated or deactivated in either Home or Away mode. That said if privacy shutter is set to close in Home mode and operates the way you suggest then if in Home mode your in bed someone kicks in your door and activates the alarm there will be NO recording of the incident. So if someone is holding a gun to a loved ones head and being forced to disarm the system you wouldn't want a recording of that. I say SimpliSafe keep it the way it is.

I recently received a message from the app informing me that they had changed this feature and turned off the 30 second open shutter mode when arming the system. They however did not mention that they went from 30 seconds to 70 seconds when you disarm it now. I don't necessarily have to be coming home to disarm my system  and there are times I might not be decent enough to be recorded because I'm home on a Saturday and need to go into the garage.  
Both sides of this thread make sense in one way or another for the respecting party. I am on the side of privacy. I only want the shutter to open when in Away mode and in Away mode only.
Why is there an option to let SS have access to the camera if the alarm goes off? Isn't better to have someone verify immediately so they know if there is an actual intruder? Yes. Do I want that option? No. It's my choice so on my system it is set to off.
I don't want to have the alarm falsely go off and have a SS rep tune in to my camera only to see my naked butt running across the living room to get to the keypad because I was in the shower. (Which happened once already. Sensor sticky tape didn't last long so I went with the screws. Thankfully it was within the first 72 hours and was not officially being monitored yet.)
I don't want anyone that likes this feature to miss out either. If you want the peace of mind that if someone was holding your loved one by force to disarm the system, go for it. I personally have many cameras on the outside of the house and they would be seen on any one of those.
I don't think this needs to be an all or none option. Just add another toggle switch to the app to determine whether the privacy shutter opens during arming/disarming or even for how long. These are already options available for other features of the app like how long you have to exit the building when arming/disarming.

I did call their 800 CS and they eventually confirmed it was done on their end and not an available option to the consumer...the ones paying them for this service. Not really sure the message will be passed on so hoping someone sees this update and can make one more change happen in order to keep both types of customers happy.

The camera is not a definitive part of the alarm. It works without it so why not give me the option of when to have the shutter open if I decide to have one in my home?
If you sell me something as intruding as a camera, give me 100% control of any and all settings for it.

Hi @Hans Ox,

We appreciate your feedback! Our development teams are aware that many of our users would prefer to have more control over which events result in their cameras recording. We have reiterated that to them and it is something that we are looking into providing.

SimpliSafe Social Team
SimpliSafe Home Security

Hi

I agree completely with Hans Ox.   We value having the camera automatically record when arming and disarming.  The change was made without any notice.   I think the right thing to do is have the settings default to privacy and allow a user who wants it to be able to override so the camera records when the system is armed.

Please make this update a priority.

Thanks
Craig

Dear Simplisafe Social Team

I'm in complete and utter agreement - make whether AND FOR HOW LONG the camera records on arm/disarm configurable! This should be a no-brainer. And please, oh please, do not make just "whether" an option, and not the "duration"! You will just invite more "feedback".

I already sent a customer service "message" on this same topic. Glad I found this post too. Which wasn't easy. But that's another topic....

We certainly welcome the feedback, ml.lindy!

I'll pass your message along to our engineering team.

- Johnny M.
SimpliSafe Home Security

Not sure how, but my settings on my cameras changed on their own and cameras seem to not work sometimes.

Since this company refuse to fix this simple programming fix and breech of privacy (because all records save to your internet account and cannot be deleted online), i know at least 5 friends and family who has swithed to one of the many other do-it-yourself home security systems whos systems do not breach this video privacy. Also post this to all my friends and family on facebook so they avoid signing up fo simpli safe until issue fixed.