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The Ring Video Doorbell, initially launched in 2014 and later referred to as Amazon Ring, aimed to provide a straightforward way of linking your front doorbell to your smartphone, allowing you to see who’s at the door or monitor deliveries. More than a decade later, Ring has emerged as a leading name in the growing video doorbell market, supported by Amazon’s influence, transforming it into a formidable force. Yet, this swift development and growth have raised significant concerns regarding Ring’s recording and facial recognition capabilities, both among users and their neighbors.
Since its inception, Ring has encountered numerous controversies, facing ongoing complaints and criticisms regarding potential privacy risks for both users and individuals captured on its cameras. While Ring cameras offer advantages, such as the ability to connect to smartphones and security services, and aid in deterring possible intruders, they also entail considerable drawbacks that should be contemplated thoroughly before purchasing a Ring Doorbell.
Automatic Enrollment in Neighbors with Ring Cameras
A significant feature of the Ring Video Doorbell is the Neighbors platform, a community message board for Ring users within the same locality. Through Neighbors, users can exchange video clips, images, and posts about local events captured by their Ring cameras. It is designed to streamline the sharing of critical information related to urgent matters, such as lost pets and children or hazardous situations like fires.
What is concerning is that joining Neighbors is not optional. Once you activate your Ring video doorbell for the first time, you are automatically registered for the Neighbors service, meaning all your neighbors can receive updates about any footage captured by your camera on their activity feeds if you opt to share. This feature can be turned off, but it requires manual action in your Ring settings. Not everyone wishes to engage in a community simply by installing a video doorbell, particularly if they don’t frequently interact with their neighbors.