Ring Partners with Flock to Expand Video Surveillance Network
▼ Summary
– Ring has partnered with Flock, an AI-powered surveillance camera company, through its Community Request program.
– US law enforcement agencies using Flock’s platforms can request video footage from Ring users via the Neighbors app.
– Requests must include crime details, time, location, and a unique investigation code, appearing in the app feed for relevant users.
– Participation is optional, with users able to disable notifications and law enforcement unable to see who receives or declines requests.
– The program will roll out in the coming months, following Ring’s previous partnership with Axon, the Taser company.
Amazon’s smart doorbell subsidiary Ring has forged a new alliance with Flock Safety, an artificial intelligence-driven surveillance camera firm. This collaboration unfolds through Ring’s Community Request initiative, which previously saw the company partner with Axon, the manufacturer behind Taser devices. The development follows revelations that Flock provided data access to multiple government bodies, including the Secret Service, the Navy, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Under this arrangement, law enforcement agencies across the United States utilizing Flock’s Nova or FlockOS platforms can now submit requests for video footage directly to Ring users. These requests are distributed via the Neighbors application, requiring officials to specify detailed information about suspected criminal activity. Each request must outline the nature of the alleged offense, along with precise timing and location data, and must be accompanied by a unique investigation identifier.
Ring emphasizes that user participation remains entirely voluntary. Residents receiving these alerts through the Neighbors app can disable notifications completely if they choose. The company further assures that law enforcement cannot determine which individuals receive these requests or track who decides to provide or withhold footage. This new functionality is scheduled to become available to users gradually over the next several months.
(Source: The Verge)
