Why Google Is Giving Away Its Nest Cameras For Free

Nest cameras are one of Google's top security products and the tech giant is giving away them in some cities to help deter crime away from small businesses.

By Trista Sobeck | Updated

Ever since former US president, Donald Trump blamed the Asian community for the COVID-19 pandemic by calling it “Kung Flu,” the racial slur has quickly increased violence for the country’s millions of Asian Americans. However, Google is now stepping up to help with its Nest cameras.

Small Businesses Are Hurting

Retail workers in large and small cities across the US have been victims of targeted attacks as Trump’s clear dog whistle to lie blame on a group of people has been unleashed. The group AAPI Strong is standing up larger than ever to let Americans know this behavior will not be tolerated.

AAPI (Asian American Pacific Islander) groups make up 5.7% of the entire population. This community is most densely located in the states, of California, New York, Texas, New Jersey, Illinois, Washington, Florida, Virginia, Hawaii, and Massachusetts.

And those areas have faced the brunt of AAPI violence. In fact, Google has teamed up with AAPI Strong in a number of cities to install–free of charge–its Nest cameras in a concerted effort to deter violent crime. In fact, stats show that retail violence is up overall, and retail and restaurant workers are largely impacted.


The complimentary kit of Nest cameras includes a Nest Cam Indoor 3-pack, a 12-month subscription to Nest Aware, and a Pro-installation of the hardware. When a portion of the US population has to alter their daily routines in order to avoid any type of confrontation, Google knew it had to step in. According to CNET after Donald Trump used the racial slur, social media hashtags, and messages created to fan the flames of hate severely increased.

Looking For Someone to Blame

Unfortunately, during the throes of the COVID-19 pandemic people were desperate to find blame. However, as we know, viruses do not require blame in order to be eradicated. And, Google simply realized as a tech giant, it could help and should help.

Unnecessary violent attacks cannot be ignored. When the backbone of America’s small and large businesses, alike, start to feel unsafe daily (flamed by the country’s leader) it is up to other businesses, organizations,s and those in the tech industry, like Google, to step in.

Google’s Nest security camera is one of the top-tier products any business or homeowner can get their hands on. And the tech leader is offering its cameras to any AAPI-owned businesses in Houston, Atlanta, the DMV area, Chicago, and New York City. According to recent reports, the free kits are helping.

The Google Nest Camera Is A Great Solution

nest cameras google
Google Nest Camera

Most small business proprietors cannot afford a top-of-the-line security system. Many resort to using inexpensive cameras that do not record through the night and are not very reliable. The Google Nest camera is highly rated.

With high hopes, AAPI Strong believes that it can help undo even a portion of the hate that Trump has incited. From hate of LBGTQ+ communities and women to flaming the fires of fear and distaste for so many minorities, many organizations are helping to clear up widespread fear left by Trump’s presidency. Tech companies, like Google, are very happy to help. Nest cameras may be just the key to tap down on violence.