TOMS RIVER, NJ – Amazon’s home security company, Ring, has announced significant changes to its policies regarding law enforcement’s access to user footage. In a recent blog post, Eric Kuhn, the head of Ring’s Neighbors app, revealed plans to discontinue the “Request for Assistance” (RFA) tool. This tool previously allowed law enforcement agencies to submit public requests for users’ doorbell video footage within their communities.
The Ring app has been useful in helping police solve crimes especially in New Jersey where footage is often shared along with press releases to the public and media.
Effective this week, public safety agencies, including fire and police departments, will no longer be able to utilize the RFA tool to request and receive video footage directly through the Neighbors app. However, they will still be able to share safety tips, updates, and community event information on the platform.
The decision marks a shift from Ring’s 2021 policy, which made police requests for user footage public in the Neighbors app. Before this transparency move, law enforcement could directly message users to request clips from their smart doorbell cameras.
Notably, police departments can still access Ring video footage through traditional legal channels, such as obtaining a search warrant or subpoena. In extraordinary circumstances involving imminent danger of death or serious physical injury, Ring may provide footage directly to law enforcement. This policy was clarified in response to a 2022 inquiry from Senator Ed Markey (D-Mass.) about Ring’s partnerships with police.
Amazon acquired Ring in 2015 for approximately $1 billion. Best known for its connected doorbell devices, which record activity outside users’ homes, Ring has since expanded its product range to include various home security solutions, such as camera-equipped floodlights and even flying security camera drones. This policy change reflects the ongoing debate around privacy, technology, and law enforcement access to digital data.