SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WGGB/WSHM) — A big game ad for Ring Camera promised to help find lost dogs. However, concerns about the technology surfaced shortly after the commercial aired.
Western Mass News has answers about the pros and cons of constant video monitoring and whether users know exactly what they’re signing up for.
We live in an age where you can see your front door from anywhere in the world. It’s incredible in a way and creepy in a way. The same cameras that capture the Porch Pirates are watching everyone walking on your property, and someone, somewhere is capturing footage of it all.
According to Consumer Reports, more than 10 million Americans use Amazon-owned Ring Cameras on their property. Although there are other brands of video doorbells, Ring is the market leader, with nearly 50% of the total market according to Consumer Reports research.
To understand what this means for privacy concerns, we spoke to Dean Drako, CEO of Brivo. His company also sells AI-powered surveillance systems.
First, we asked him about the big game ad that started our conversation. “I think people were very distressed, or I think some were distressed by concepts like Lost Dog, and they felt that Ring was taking advantage of that a little bit to overcome or hide the privacy measures that they overstepped.”
The ad promised viewers that they could “become your neighborhood hero.” A new feature called “Search Party” could help lost dogs find their way home.
It seems harmless enough and might possibly save lives, but concerns emerged after the commercial aired. Multiple news outlets, including Forbes, have reported that users are automatically opted into the monitoring program. Customers will need to log in and choose to opt out.
Several social media users shared their thoughts on the ad. One post, which received thousands of likes and reposts, asked, “Did anyone think it would be super dystopian for a Ring camera to find a lost dog via AI?”
Draco went on to explain, “The problem that most people had with this was that participation in Ring’s camera permissions was turned on by default, which meant people were sharing personal information without really knowing what was going on or really actively participating.”
He said these concerns are not overblown, but surveillance cameras serve a real purpose. “It’s really helpful to let people know what’s going on when they arrive. The pool guy or the maintenance guy might show up at any moment…that can give them some kind of peace of mind.”
The value of technology: Being able to always know what’s happening on your property.
These applications go beyond home security. Draco said his company is using AI to detect guns in California schools. Its technology is designed to alert law enforcement within seconds if a shooting incident occurs.
“Security cameras allow emergency responders to respond faster, get to the scene more accurately, get there faster, do more, and keep people safe,” he continues.
Technology has changed, but society has not yet caught up. Privacy laws in the United States are not up to date with technology like doorbell cameras.
Draco said those concerned are justified because the same AI that helps find a lost dog could find a person, and the same data that helps emergency responders could be misused. “We need to put privacy safeguards in place regarding their use so that they are not unnecessarily accidentally or intentionally misused by people who do not respect the privacy of others.”
So, here’s what you need to know before installing a doorbell camera. According to Ring’s own website, your footage is analyzed by artificial intelligence and can be stored for up to 180 days.
Draco said consumer protections are currently being sorted out, but it will probably take about 10 years before they are clearly defined.
Western Mass News also reached out to Ring and Amazon for comment, but did not receive a response.
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