Amazon's Ring Will Ask Police To Publicly Request User Videos

Amazon.com's Ring, long criticized for a cozy relationship with law enforcement, will start requiring the police to publicly request home security footage captured by the company's doorbells and cameras. From a report: Beginning next week, police departments that want Ring users to help with investigations will be required to make the requests in the company's Neighbors app. Previously, police officers emailed users in a dedicated portal. Ring, the leading maker of internet-connected doorbells, has put cameras on the front of millions of homes, selling residents peace of mind via smartphone. But for civil liberties groups, the cameras -- and their use by law enforcement agencies -- pose threats to Americans' privacy and civil rights. Ring has shown no signs of abandoning its relationship with the police, but in recent years has grown more transparent, publicly identifying law enforcement partners and, as of next week, letting all Neighbors users see what information is being requested.

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