Cloudkeys are the low end, only support 20ish cameras. You don't have to go full dream machine or whatever their top end stuff is. Still, expensive.

That was definitely a first thought, but alas I was mistaken. I basically jumped to conclusions and I'll reflect on that, but it was not stolen

Our community does what it can to keep out unwelcome visitors. Unfortunately I live in multifamily housing and we give up some luxuries like property so there's not really a trespassing route (though I guess I could argue I pay for half of the space between the units)

Ultimately though I was a fool and no one took my package. I got mad before thinking and that's something I need to work on

Hmm. If you're somewhere with strict laws, like Singapore or something, I would also consider whether there might be a law against secret recording, or recording of other people, and whether that includes audio or just video.

How do I verify companies? This is where I'm lost. I have the idea of what I want but not the words

Is there a trusted site that focuses on privacy that reviews products or companies for their integrity?

If you use any cloud functions. But cloud just means someone else's computer, so nothing is guaranteed anyway. For local though, as long as your network is secure, so is your data, as much as it can be.

I have a Reolink doorbell cam. I bought the POE version, have it connected to Frigate on my server for object detection purposes and triggering alerts, and the alerts are delivered via Home Assistant notifications.

So I guess it's possible to do it reasonably privately, even if using the Reolink app isn't.