Ring cameras- While readily available at an affordable price and widespread in use, homeowners should not assume the role of vigilantes.
Ring Cameras
Product testing is typically straightforward. When one router outshines another in terms of features and performance at a comparable price point, it earns a higher score. However, there are instances where products pose potential risks to individuals or society. We believe this is the case with Ring, owned by Amazon, and its interactions with law enforcement.
Upon setting up a Ring camera, users are automatically enrolled in the Neighbors service. While it’s possible to disable the Neighbors feed integration and notifications in the Ring app’s settings, the responsibility lies with the user. Neighbors, available as a standalone app as well, offers an activity feed from nearby Ring camera owners. It includes posts regarding various incidents such as found pets, missing items, and a Safety Report detailing the number of service calls—whether violent or nonviolent—made in the past week. Additionally, it serves as a platform for public safety agencies, such as local police and fire departments, to disseminate information widely.
Ring offers a distinctive feature allowing its users to send videos captured by their Ring video doorbell cameras and outdoor security cameras directly to law enforcement. This capability sets Ring apart from other platforms; for instance, Nextdoor discontinued its Forward to Police feature in 2020, which permitted users to forward their safety posts to local law enforcement. However, it’s worth noting that accessing civilian video footage should ideally require a warrant, especially in the case of a crime.
Wait a Minute
Over the years, several members of WIRED’s Gear team have engaged with Ring about this particular feature. Despite concerns raised, the company has consistently emphasized its alignment with customer preferences, despite the lack of evidence supporting the notion that increased video surveillance enhances community safety. Rather than fostering safer environments, Neighbors potentially exacerbates issues of racial profiling, simplifying the process for both civilians and law enforcement to target specific demographics for suspicion based on factors like skin color, ethnicity, religion, or nationality.
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We’ve been keeping a close eye on this matter ever since Ring began collaborating with police departments to distribute complimentary video cameras. Through the Neighbors Public Safety Service (NPSS) feature within the app, law enforcement can initiate Requests for Assistance, and Neighbors have the ability to reach out to camera owners directly to request footage.
During our interview with Nextdoor CEO Sarah Friar regarding efforts to mitigate racial profiling, Friar referenced the research of Stanford professor Jennifer Eberhardt. Eberhardt’s groundbreaking work on the psychological links between race and crime, which earned her a MacArthur Genius grant, was cited as influential in shaping the company’s strategies.
Eberhardt’s research emphasizes the significance of decision points. The more individuals pause and consider before taking action, the lower the likelihood of unconscious racial bias. By integrating a frictionless feature directly into Neighbors, Ring owners may inadvertently flood law enforcement with unsubstantiated and potentially biased alarms.
It’s crucial to emphasize that law enforcement is prohibited by law from accessing your personal videos or information without your consent. They must provide specific justification, citing an active investigation within a defined time and geographic scope. Moreover, they cannot seek information regarding lawful activities such as protesting. Ring is also not permitted to access your video data, although past incidents suggest otherwise. In instances where the company unlawfully allowed employees and contractors to surveil customers, the Federal Trade Commission intervened. They issued a proposed order earlier this year requiring the company to delete unlawfully viewed data from videos, provide $5.8 million in consumer refunds, and establish a rigorous privacy and security program.
That’s Not All
Ring has responded to criticisms regarding its collaboration with law enforcement by undertaking significant measures. In 2021, the company disclosed the findings of an extensive audit conducted over nearly two years in partnership with the Policing Project at New York University’s School of Law. As a result, Ring has implemented policy changes such as making Requests for Assistance publicly available, localizing the Neighbors Public Safety Service (NPSS), and introducing new community guidelines for posting. Notably, users are now required to report only factual information, rather than expressing personal feelings. Additionally, sharing footage of individuals based solely on personal discomfort is prohibited.
If you’ve checked out Neighbors lately, you might have noticed some changes. Initially, when I tried out a Ring camera, the app bombarded me with a weekly report of about two dozen “police incidents” on my street, sending my anxiety through the roof and painting a bleak picture of the neighborhood. However, a recent glance at my Neighbors feed revealed a significant shift: now it’s filled with equal parts missing cat posts and concerned residents reporting gunshots or thefts.
Law enforcement can physically canvass streets near a suspected crime scene and request video footage from camera owners, including those with Ring devices. However, this method faces challenges such as locating relevant homeowners and obtaining footage through subpoena processes. Other security camera manufacturers also cooperate with law enforcement, with Google’s Nest indicating a willingness to share information through a somewhat opaque process. Despite this, Google doesn’t offer a specific app to streamline the process, although Nest cameras are otherwise popular choices.
One issue we’ve encountered pertains to Ring’s hardware. The security cameras exhibit a low frame rate, sluggish loading times, and cumbersome designs. Additionally, the Ring Car Cam falls short in preventing break-ins when the vehicle is inactive. Similar to competitors like Wyze and Eufy, Ring often only addresses security vulnerabilities after they’re identified by external parties. When investing in a video camera, it’s crucial to carefully consider its placement, as no camera can guarantee complete safety.
When considering home security cameras, like video doorbells or outdoor cameras, it’s important to explore various options. While Ring cameras are affordable and widespread, prioritizing the creation of a fairer society is also crucial for safeguarding your family.
Correction: On July 9, 2023, we apologize for misspelling the name of Nextdoor CEO Sarah Friar. We regret any inconvenience caused by this error.
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