Insta360

Insta360

Basic information
Founded	2015
Legal structure	Private
Industry	Technology, Consumer Electronics, Videography, Photography
Official website	https://www.insta360.com/

Insta360 is a Chinese technology company headquartered in Shenzhen, Guangdong, China, with offices in Los Angeles, Tokyo, and Berlin. Founded in 2015 by JK Liu, Insta360 specializes in designing and manufacturing 360-degree cameras, action cameras, editing software for mobile and desktop, and stereoscopic 180-degree cameras for virtual reality (VR) content creation.

Consumer impact summary

Freedom

Same as with DJI products, this manufacturer's devices require an initial connection to a proprietary app in order to be usable. DJI allows only five power-on cycles before requiring activation through their DJI Mimo app for cameras like the Osmo Action series and Pocket 3.

In contrast, manufacturers like AKASO and SJCAM maintain more consumer-friendly approaches, allowing their cameras to operate without app activation. Their apps provide remote control and advanced features but remain optional enhancements rather than mandatory requirements.

Embedded advertising

Certain Insta360 devices, such as the Insta360 X5, feature a persistent notification bar button in the camera's interface that promotes Insta360+, a paid cloud service, even for non-subscribers. This promotional element cannot be disabled or hidden, representing what critics call an unprecedented level of advertising intrusion in hardware that users have already purchased.

User complaints

Common user complaints include:

• Cameras becoming unusable when smartphones are incompatible with the app
• Inability to activate cameras in areas without internet connectivity
• Missing critical filming opportunities due to activation failures
• No alternative desktop activation method
• Forced acceptance of data collection and advertising policies

Mandatory app activation requirements

All recent Insta360 camera models require mandatory activation through the Insta360 mobile app before they can record any video or take photos. This activation process demands:

• An active internet connection
• A compatible smartphone (iOS or Android)
• Account creation with Insta360
• Agreement to data collection policies

Without completing this activation process, cameras costing hundreds of dollars are non-functional for their primary purpose of recording video or taking photos. No desktop activation alternative exists at the time of writing, leaving users with incompatible smartphones or those in areas without reliable internet unable to use their purchased devices.

Activation process

The activation requirement goes beyond simple registration. Users must:

1. Connect their cameras via WiFi and Bluetooth
2. Confirm the connection on the camera's touchscreen
3. Maintain an internet connection throughout the entire process

This has led to widespread complaints from professional videographers who have missed critical filming opportunities and travelers who discovered they couldn't activate their cameras while abroad.

Historical context

This requirement marks a fundamental departure from how digital cameras have operated since their inception. From the first Kodak digital prototype in 1975 through the sophisticated DSLRs of the 2010s, cameras functioned as completely standalone devices. Users could unbox a camera, insert a memory card, and immediately begin shooting without any external dependencies or internet connections.

The shift toward app-dependent cameras began around 2018-2020, primarily with action cameras and 360-degree cameras. This change wasn't driven by technical necessity but rather by evolving business models that prioritize:

• Recurring revenue through cloud services
• Data collection for analytics and advertising
• Ecosystem lock-in

Incidents

Data collection during activation

The mandatory activation requirements involve extensive data collection, including:

• Device identifiers and serial numbers
• Location data
• Usage patterns and statistics
• Personal information including email addresses

The Insta360 privacy policy acknowledges that personal data may be transferred to servers in Hong Kong and other countries, subject to different privacy protections than users' home jurisdictions.

Insta360 ONE X2 security vulnerability (Jan. 2022)

A critical security vulnerability was discovered in the Insta360 ONE X2 in January 2022 that allows anyone to access the footage stored in the camera. The camera broadcasts a WiFi signal with a hardcoded password of "88888888" that:

• Cannot be changed by users
• Is identical across all Insta360 ONE X2 devices
• Allows anyone within WiFi range to connect and download all photos and videos

Security researchers described the flaw as having "more holes than Swiss cheese," noting that attackers could:

• Perform "drive-by attacks" to steal content
• Inject malware onto SD cards that would later infect users' computers
• Potentially create "wormable" attacks where one compromised camera could attack others

Despite Insta360's claims in August 2022 that the issue had been addressed, independent testing in September 2022 confirmed the vulnerability remained exploitable on firmware version 1.0.59_build1.

Content Creator controversy (2024)

In 2024, Insta360 faced backlash for allegedly asking content creators not to disclose sponsored content. PetaPixel's investigation described this as "a severe violation of trust and, no less, a crime." The company later admitted to inadequate training that led to these practices.

Products

• Insta360 X5
• Insta360 X4
• Insta360 X3
• Insta360 ONE X2
• Insta360 ONE R
• Insta360 Ace Pro 2
• Insta360 GO 3S
• Insta360 Flow 2 Pro

External Links

• Consumer Rights Wiki - Insta360 X5
• Insta360 Community Forum

See also

• DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro
• Right to repair
• Digital rights management
• Internet of Things security