Ring has announced a new “Search Party” feature that could eventually bring mass biometric surveillance to our streets.

[eff@mastodon.social]

Ring has announced a new “Search Party” feature that could eventually bring mass biometric surveillance to our streets. It’s on by default. Shut it off.
https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2026/02/no-one-including-our-furry-friends-will-be-safer-rings-surveillance-nightmare-0

[eva@mindly.social]

@eff I was horrified when I saw that commercial.

[littlepolarbear@freeradical.zone]

@eff love the easy instructions to share w normies

[kevinrns@mstdn.social]

@eff

How do we install the resistance on Ring, disconnect it from ICE?

Asking for a nation. A species that will not suffer tyrants.

#ring

[parkersavage@mastodon.social]

@eff covering my ring's camera with tape tape

[ferricoxide@blahaj.zone]

@eff@mastodon.social

At least with a standalone smart camera, you can mount them in ways that constrains their view to just your property. Unfortunately, with the ways most porches are laid out, that's all but impossible with a doorbell camera.

[parkersavage@mastodon.social]

@kevinrns @eff the least you can do if you already have one is cover the camera with tape. At least that is what I am going to do

[judeau@mas.to]

@eff Yep. As soon as I saw this ad this is immediately what I thought of. Anybody that's even remotely been paying attention knows exactly what this is for and where it's headed.

[nazokiyoubinbou@mastodon.social]

@eff Thankfully I already disabled this "feature" (it's two parts. I see one for fires and one for pets.) I also enabled video encryption for whatever good that does. (Supposedly makes it harder for them to share? Yeah, I don't particularly trust it, but if that is what it takes...)

God I wish I could just get rid of the thing, but I have $1 in my wallet right now... (And yes, I need video.)

[faduda@mastodon.ie]

@Parkersavage @kevinrns @eff

Guys, there comes a point when you need to kill it with hammers.

[rowinspeez@mas.to]

@eff STOP USING RING ALTOGETHER, holy shit it's easy you guys.

[donhawkins@mastodon.social]

@eff @wb2ifs “Shut it off”!? How about never buy their crap to begin with … & if you already made that mistake tear the thing out & ask for a refund.

[juneussell@mas.to]

@eff How about … just not have one? You’re already into surveillance if you do.

[ferricoxide@blahaj.zone]

@eff@mastodon.social

Also, just because you opt out, should we have any confidence that they aren't still using your camera for these purposes? Do we really think they'll be satisfied leaving holes in their surveillance nets when they can just silently closing those holes? I mean, they were supposed to get owners' consent before sharing with police, but that seemed to be done with a wink and a nod. I imagine the Flock arrangement will show owners' preferences being similarly bypassesd.

[richspk@tech.lgbt]

@eff I wouldn't touch Ring cameras with a ten foot pole, but I'm still subject to surveillance by my neighbor's Ring cameras.

[inurwalls@mastodon.social]

@eff oh boy the future is bright!

[thamunsta@mastodon.nervesocket.com]

@eva @eff yeah my first thought was uhh hey Ring, read the room...
I've edited a version of their ad to show what I saw...

[kryten@veganism.social]

@eff are there any recommended alternatives to ring?

[prokyonid@mastodon.sdf.org]

@eff
https://www.hamiltonnolan.com/p/remove-your-ring-camera-with-a-claw?utm_source=post-email-title&publication_id=1536173&post_id=187505604

[eric@geldmacher.io]

@eff

An alternate method to disable the feature.