Ring products log every doorbell press, detected motion, and app interaction

[midian182]

A hot potato: While the home-security cameras of Amazon-owned Ring are popular products, questions over their privacy implications have been around for a while, and a new report could bring the company more controversy.

As discovered by the BBC, Amazon keeps records of every motion detected by Ring doorbells, along with the exact time they are logged. It was also discovered that every interaction with the Ring app is stored, right down to the device model and mobile network used. Even finger pinches for zooming in were documented.

The broadcaster received the information after submitting a data subject access request (DSAR) as part of a wider investigation into Amazon’s data gathering practices. The company says it uses the information to evaluate, manage and improve its products and services.

The records show that between September 28, 2019, and February 3, 2020, 1,939 individual "camera events" were documented. These included when motion was detected, when a doorbell was pressed, and when someone accessed a live video and audio feed.

When it came to the Ring apps, 4,906 actions were listed in the database over the 129 days, including when it was opened, various screen taps, pinch-to-zoom actions, and details of when live-views began and finished. Another worrying detail was the latitude and longitude coordinates of the Ring devices.

Ring says the data it collects is anonymized and cannot be linked to individual accounts, but that hasn’t placated privacy advocates. Back in January, an Amazon engineer said privacy issues meant Ring “should be shut down immediately and not brought back.”

Back in January 2019, Ring had to deal with reports claiming its employees had access to customers’ recorded videos and live feeds—something that led to the firing of four workers. There’s also been controversy over its partnerships with US police forces, hacking incidents, and the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) identifying third-party trackers in the Ring Android app.

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https://www.techspot.com/news/84257-ring-products-log-every-doorbell-press-detected-motion.html

 

[QuantumPhysics]

I will NEVER put any of these domestic spying devices in my own home. I don't care what case they make for me "needing it".

Orwell could never have imagined that we would enthusiastically finance our own surveillance and force feed the government our privacy.

Or, leave our children's bedroom's open to hackers.

 

[Uncle Al]

Just another good reason to NEVER buy this junk......

 

[ShagnWagn]

"Another worrying detail was the latitude and longitude coordinates of the Ring devices.

Ring says the data it collects is anonymized and cannot be linked to individual accounts"

Can anyone then tell us how they are selling this data to 3rd party companies? If this were truly the case, they wouldn't have any idea which video camera feed to steal for "security purposes".

I have a friend here at work who is in IT. I mentioned all this stuff to him... His response? "I only have it on the outside of my house." Uh, that's not how this works. They track and upload, then sell and view by anyone who is around or visits the house. They also have a video record of what possessions go in and out of your house - let alone your own or others' children.

 

[wiyosaya]

Not now, not ever!

 

[gusticles41]

As an IT professional and technology enthusiast, I love this stuff. As an average citizen who wants his privacy respected, I loathe this stuff.

A smartphone already breaks down enough privacy barriers in my life. No need for more unnecessary Gusticles data harvesting.

 

[kmo911]

This is nuts. how about newer selling theese spy devices ever. now go trough all devices that has a gps too. if they can encrypt that data on lt for admin users only then It would be ok. only in usa ? then its ok ?!!? why can amazon google twitter use youre info when they telling youre info are not used. just give them a fake info forever. all info on net should be 1 time use and FAKE. stop using units NOW.