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2h ago

Ring Scraps Planned Flock Safety Integration After Super Bowl Backlash

Community Requests continues through Axon as privacy concerns over Ring’s AI features intensify.

A doorbell device with a built-in camera made by home security company Ring is seen on August 28, 2019 in Silver Spring, Maryland. These devices allow users to see video footage of who is at their front door when the bell is pressed or when motion activates the camera. Ring devices are part of the new Amazon Sidewalk internet-sharing feature launched Tuesday.
Federal agents stand in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where protests have unfolded following the fatal shooting of Renee Good. Ring users' privacy and safety concerns coincided with these nationwide protests.
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Overview

  • Ring said the Flock integration was canceled by mutual decision after a review found it would require more time and resources than expected.
  • The never-launched plan would have let agencies using Flock post Community Requests in Ring’s Neighbors app so nearby users could voluntarily share clips.
  • Both companies said no Ring customer videos were ever sent to Flock and no date for the integration had been set.
  • Ring’s Axon partnership remains in place and the company continues to offer AI tools like Search Party and the opt‑in Familiar Faces feature, drawing scrutiny from Sen. Ed Markey and civil‑liberties groups.
  • Flock maintains it has no direct partnership with ICE and says customers control data sharing, a claim challenged by critics as users voice backlash and organizers plan protests targeting Amazon’s ties to law enforcement.