Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority
TL;DR Ring’s Search Party launched as a lost-pet finder, but a leaked email suggests far broader ambitions.
The company’s default-on camera network is reportedly aimed at helping “zero out crime,” not just locating dogs.
A Super Bowl ad showcasing Search Party intensified fears of mass surveillance disguised as community safety.
Amazon’s Ring has faced privacy questions before, but its latest move could be its boldest yet. Search Party, the AI feature that links neighborhood doorbells to help find lost dogs, launched late last year. Now, a leaked email reveals the company may have bigger plans beyond just helping pet owners.
An internal email from Ring’s founder and CEO, Jamie Siminoff, obtained by 404 Media, shows that the company’s default-on, AI-powered doorbell camera network is meant for more than just finding pets. The ultimate goal, according to Siminoff, is to “zero out crime in neighborhoods.”
This change is already causing new privacy concerns, especially as Ring adds more AI, facial recognition, and tools that work closely with law enforcement. In the email, Siminoff calls Search Party “first for finding dogs,” but suggests the same technology could also help lower crime.
Don’t want to miss the best from Android Authority? Set us as a favorite source in Google Discover to never miss our latest exclusive reports, expert analysis, and much more.
to never miss our latest exclusive reports, expert analysis, and much more. You can also set us as a preferred source in Google Search by clicking the button below.
On the surface, Search Party seems helpful. It links nearby Ring cameras and uses AI to look for lost pets reported through the Neighbors app. If there’s a match, camera owners are notified and can decide if they want to share footage.
... continue reading