‎Do the Series 2 Outdoor Cameras use facial recognition? | SimpliSafe Support Home
 
kipbunn's profile

Tuesday, May 20th, 2025 9:45 PM

Do the Series 2 Outdoor Cameras use facial recognition?

Curious about the new Series 2 Outdoor cameras.  In speaking with customer service (English was a second language) I gleaned that they use facial recognition to inform the team who will make a call or actively intervene at the moment when a potential intruder is present. Is that correct?  Is SimpliSafe building a facial file for my account? I’m not quite sure that I want to invite facial recognition onto my private property. Any more insight? Thanks!

Accepted Solution

Official Solution

Community Admin

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1.4K Messages

14 days ago

@kipbunn When subscribed to our Pro Plus or Pro monitoring plans, the Outdoor Security Camera Series 2 enables SimpliSafe® Active Guard Outdoor Protection (if you choose to enroll in it).  

 

As part of Active Guard Outdoor Protection, you can set up familiar faces* to let our professional monitoring agents know who is allowed on your property. Our expert monitoring agents are trained to use familiar faces to identify a match when the system is armed, Active Guard Outdoor Protection is active, and will only engage with unknown individuals (i.e. someone who does not have a familiar face setup). 

 

SimpliSafe's face matching technology is used solely to enhance customer safety. We have not and will not use saved face images for commercial purposes other than providing the service to you.

 

*Automatic Face matching is unavailable to customers in Illinois, Texas, and (Portland) Oregon.

3 Messages

Thanks for the clarification.  That does answer my question(s).

Accepted Solution

Captain

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6.4K Messages

14 days ago

@kipbunn Unfortunately, like most things in life, the answer is "it depends".  If you live in a state, county, city etc that doesn't allow it by law, then no. And if you don't use the series 2 cameras with Active Guard or Active Guard Pro, the answer is still no. However, if it is legal by law, AND you sign up for an Active Guard monitoring plan, the answer is yes.

I live in IL and it is prohibited by law (which I completely disagree with and am in constant contact with my state elected representatives to change - hey, if you are on my property, my decision not yours - should be my choice.) That said, as for SS, you can clearly see in the phone app this functionality is grayed out and not available.  If I used Active Guard (I tried it but stopped due to the built in siren always set to on) SS would then only use a live agent.

If you have more questions, I would contact support directly. Good luck with your decision.

(edited)

3 Messages

Hey thanks for the reply.  That does answer my question(s).

Captain

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6.4K Messages

@kipbunn​ Glad it helped. BTW, two more items. The Series 2 audio is outstanding, as when I tested I could hear my neighbor's conversation next door (about 35 feet away) and if you are looking to purchase a new system with that camera, check out Costco. Really inexpensive!

Have a safe and happy Memorial Day holiday.

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