It states: “You, for yourself and as the authorized agent of your family, guests, agents, servants, representatives and employees (individually and collectively, “Any Person”), hereby consent to Company intercepting, recording, retrieving, reviewing, copying, disclosing and using the contents of all telephone, video, wire, oral, electronic and other forms of transmission or communication to which you, Any Person or Company are parties.”

Basically it gives them full rights to surveil, intercept, observe or monitor ALL your communications including conversations, Internet, email, everything. All without any stated limitations. This is ridiculous and I can’t believe I almost went ahead with it. See, I conduct a lot of business from my home. Many of my clients require strict security with any communications. To give a third party right to observe, intercept or surveil that communications without any guarantees of privacy would be extremely stupid and also could cause me to be in violation of obligations I have to my clients.

Thought I’d throw it out there. There is no privacy policy included in the Agreement nor any mention of it on their website (aside from their website or email privacy policy). Am I being unreasonable?

And too, cell phone jamming is not cheap by the common burglar’s definition. Last time I checked, a decent one was in the hundreds of dollars at least, and you had to order it from overseas. That expense and hassle/planning takes out about 90% of common burglars. Of those, probably 50% don’t know enough / are too lazy, etc to even cut your physical phone and broadband lines if present, even when easily accessible, which they typically are.

The key is putting up a defense appropriate for your level of target value. For most, an Alarm.com fits that bill nicely while also providing a gob-load of cool features at a great price. And if you’re looking for a great Alarm.com dealer (you have to go through some dealer), I *STILL* highly recommend them. Been with them for over 2 years, and still have that loving feeling, squared! That are completely awesome to work with… take great care of their customers from my experience.

I am a freelance writer working for the Associated Press on a story about the remote access features of alarm systems. I read your comments and would love to interview you for the story. Do you have a few minutes to chat over the phone today or tomorrow?
Best,
Melissa

Not if you use the redundant options (broadband and/or pots telephone) in addition to the cellular. No system is perfect though, the only really secure way would be a constantly monitored dedicated line, that, if it was cut, triggered the alarm… but good luck affording that.