GoKawiilRing’s tech can be invasive. Here are the settings to change. Tyler Lacoma/CNET Art
I’ve reviewed especially powerful, feature-rich Ring security devices this year, including its latest video doorbell and outdoor spotlight camera. But you may have also heard more disturbing news about Ring in 2026, including a hastily canceled surveillance partnership with Flock Safety and a lawsuit over possible privacy violations from its Familiar Face AI recognition technology.
That’s scary stuff, but I bring good news. You can turn off or opt out of all the Ring features people are worried about, at least on your own devices. The trick is knowing where to go and what settings to tweak, which is why I made this guide. Look below to see what surveillance options you may want to switch off and exactly how to do it.
1. AI Features
You can turn all Ring AI off in one swoop. Tyler Lacoma/CNET
Ring uses AI in many forms, from creating time-saving text descriptions of videos to recognizing pets and even, if you choose to enable it, human features via the Familiar Faces feature. If any use of AI-like algorithms makes you uneasy about your privacy, you can turn them off entirely with one of Ring’s settings.
To begin, open the Ring app and head to the hamburger Menu > Pro Features (previously called AI features) > toggle Turn On All. This will turn off all applicable AI features, although not every feature I list below is affected, so it’s important to double-check.
2. Community Requests
Stop law enforcement requests for Ring footage with this little-known setting. Tyler Lacoma/CNET
Community Requests is the Ring Neighbors feature that allows others, notably local law enforcement organizations, to request footage on demand. There’s a lot I like about Ring Neighbors and how it lets you see what your community is experiencing, but this is one feature many users would rather do without.
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