NEW YORK (AP) — Amazon-owned Ring will stop allowing police departments to request doorbell camera footage from users, marking an end to a feature that has drawn criticism from privacy advocates.
In a blog post on Wednesday, Ring said it will sunset the “Request for Assistance” tool, which allows police departments and other public safety agencies to request and receive video captured by the doorbell cameras through Ring’s Neighbors app.
Eric Kuhn, the head of Neighbors, said in the announcement that law enforcement agencies will still be able to make public posts in the Neighbors app.
In a bid to increase transparency, Ring changed its policy in 2021 to make police requests publicly visible through its Neighbors app.
Ring also maintains the right to share footage without user consent in limited circumstances.
Persons:
Ring, Eric Kuhn, ” Kuhn, Matthew Guariglia
Organizations:
. Police, Electronic Frontier Foundation, Federal Trade Commission
Locations:
Guariglia