Amazon's Ring announced Wednesday that police will no longer be able to request access to video captured by doorbell cameras through its app.
The home security company plans to disable the “request for assistance” (RFA) mechanism that allowed public safety agencies to “request and receive video” on the doorbell's Neighbors app, according to people familiar with the matter. blog post Written by Ring.
“Public safety agencies like fire departments and police departments can continue to use the Neighbors app to share helpful safety tips, updates, and community events,” Neighbors Director Eric Kuhn said in a post. Masu. “You will no longer be able to request or receive videos within the app using the RFA tool.”
🚨Big @ring news!
The company is ending its controversial “request for assistance” feature that allows police to request video footage from owners of Ring doorbells and cameras.https://t.co/06308JfBvr#Smart home pic.twitter.com/dYHz7YVT1T
— Dan Wroclawski (@danwroc) January 24, 2024
Law enforcement can secure Ring doorbell video through a subpoena or search warrant. Amazon responded: letter It was sent by Massachusetts Sen. Ed Markey in 2022 as part of an investigation centered on the use of Ring footage by law enforcement. statement It said, in part, that law enforcement could access the footage if they followed appropriate legal procedures.
“Ring said it does not share 'customer information' with law enforcement agencies unless there is consent, a warrant, or 'urgent or exigent' circumstances,” the statement reads. “Ring reserves the right to respond immediately to urgent law enforcement requests for information in incidents involving an imminent risk of death or serious bodily injury to any person.”
The update only removes the ability for police to use the app to obtain footage. (RELATED: Video of doorbell ringing shocks couple after strange interaction with dog sitter suspected of drinking and dumping)
Some social media users expressed mild dissatisfaction with the disabled feature.
“I think this is a step in the wrong direction, but not a huge step,” one user wrote.
Hmm…
Once, when I shared a Ring doorbell video with the police, I emailed them a link to the video they wanted.
If you understand what you read in the article, it should still be possible.
I think this is a step in the wrong direction, but not a huge step.
— John McCarthy (@JohnFMcCarthy) January 24, 2024
Video of the doorbell ringing provided evidence of the crime several times. In one incident, a man's Ring doorbell alerted him to a suspicious man at his door, ABC 23 News reported. Bakersfield police then reportedly determined that the alleged intruder was in possession of a firearm. The newspaper reported that the audio recorded on the video recorded a gunfight with a neighbor who acted in self-defense.
In another incident, doorbell camera footage showed a suspect accelerating his car toward an officer. He responded to a report of a suspected home invader with a knife, police said.
