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In a significant policy change, Amazon’s Ring has announced the discontinuation of its “Request for Assistance” (RFA) tool, preventing police from requesting doorbell video footage from users through its Neighbors app. The decision, revealed in a blog post on Wednesday, reflects a shift in privacy practices and follows criticisms surrounding Ring’s partnerships with numerous police departments across the United States.
Eric Kuhn, head of Neighbors, explained in the post that public safety agencies, including fire and police departments, will no longer be able to use the RFA tool to request and receive video within the app. While these agencies can still use the Neighbors app for sharing safety tips, updates, and community events, the elimination of the RFA tool signals a change in how law enforcement can access user-generated footage.
Previously, Ring made police requests for user footage publicly visible in its Neighbors app, allowing law enforcement to submit requests through a publicly accessible post. However, this tool has now been discontinued. In 2021, Ring made such requests public in an effort to increase transparency. Prior to this, police could privately message users to request video clips from their Ring doorbell cameras.
Ring clarified that police can still obtain video footage using a search warrant or subpoena. Furthermore, in response to a 2022 letter from Senator Ed Markey, the company disclosed that Ring might provide footage directly to law enforcement in situations involving imminent danger or serious physical injury.
Amazon acquired Ring in 2015 for a reported $1 billion, and the company has faced ongoing controversies regarding privacy and its partnerships with police departments. Critics argue that these partnerships, along with Ring’s Neighbors app, increase the risk of racial profiling and can inadvertently turn residents into informants, with limited safeguards on how law enforcement uses the shared material.
Ring’s decision to discontinue the RFA tool comes amidst an evolving landscape of concerns around privacy, surveillance, and the ethical implications of smart home technology. The company is introducing updates to the Neighbors app, including the addition of “Ring Moments,” a new post category expanding content beyond crime and safety, and a “Best of Ring” tool featuring a rotating selection of top videos.