Particle.news
Download on the App Store

Ring's Super Bowl Ad for AI Dog Finder Draws Bipartisan Privacy Blowback

Amazon points to 99 dogs found in 90 days to justify the AI tool's opt-in design.

Overview

  • The Super Bowl spot showcased Search Party, which begins scanning nearby outdoor cameras for a match when a missing-dog photo is posted in the Ring app.
  • Amazon CEO Andy Jassy said the feature reunited 99 dogs in its first 90 days and called it a compelling real-world use of AI.
  • Ring says any matching clip is shared only if the individual camera owner approves it and stresses that the system does not scan human faces.
  • Some users reported emails indicating the feature was enabled by default with an option to turn it off, fueling questions about consent and settings.
  • Critics across the political spectrum labeled the ad dystopian and raised surveillance concerns, citing Flock Safety ties, while Ring says it has no partnership or video-sharing arrangement with ICE.