Schneier Writes on Ring Doorbell and Police

Needs more caution on use, but am all for automating home protection. 

Ring Gives Videos to Police without a Warrant or User Consent  in Bruce Schneier

Amazon has revealed that it gives police videos from its Ring doorbells without a warrant and without user consent.

Ring recently revealed how often the answer to that question has been yes. The Amazon company responded to an inquiry from US Senator Ed Markey (D-Mass.), confirming that there have been 11 cases in 2022 where Ring complied with police “emergency” requests. In each case, Ring handed over private recordings, including video and audio, without letting users know that police had access to—and potentially downloaded—their data. This raises many concerns about increased police reliance on private surveillance, a practice that has long gone unregulated.  .... '   With further comment at link.

Amazon Gets more Biometric Capabilities,

 Interesting, don't consider this as ominous as is being implied here.  Scare quotes alerting you.   If it works to make people safer,  expect this to happen. 

In the Future, Amazon's Ring Doorbell Might Use Biometric Data to Surveil Neighborhoods

The company has been awarded patents for using smell and skin texture to identify a "suspicious" person.

By Florence Ion  12/16/21 8:15PM  in Gizmodo

I’ve always wondered when smell-o-vision would make its debut in the gadget world, but I didn’t imagine that Amazon would be the company to make it happen. Given that fact, you might not be surprised to learn that its actual implementation sounds a little problematic, to say the least.

The company filed patents that suggest detecting a person by smell is a future possibility for its doorbell cameras. But that’s not even the extent of it. The Ring doorbells could also scan to identify “suspicious” people based on their skin texture, the way they walk, and their voice. What could possibly go wrong?

The discovery comes from Insider, which looked through more than a dozen patents recently awarded to Amazon. They found that altogether, the patents outline a network of weirdly sophisticated surveillance that sounds not at all terrifying.

One Ring patent, filed and awarded in the U.S., is titled “Neighborhood Alert Mode.” At its core, it’s essentially community surveillance, with a dash of suburbanites-complaining-on-Nextdoor energy. Instead of your neighbor typing out a loaded post describing a person they deem to be a threat to the neighorhood—because what could go wrong there?—all they have to do is share a picture or video of someone they decide is suspicious to other Neighborhood users within the vicinity. Ring will then prompt other video doorbells within the network to start recording the so-called suspicious person, even if they don’t approach the front door. ...  ' 

More Biometric Doorbells

Expect more biometrics for security. 

In the Future, Amazon's Ring Doorbell Might Use Biometric Data to Surveil Neighborhoods

The company has been awarded patents for using smell and skin texture to identify a "suspicious" person.  By Florence Ion

I’ve always wondered when smell-o-vision would make its debut in the gadget world, but I didn’t imagine that Amazon would be the company to make it happen. Given that fact, you might not be surprised to learn that its actual implementation sounds a little problematic, to say the least.

The company filed patents that suggest detecting a person by smell is a future possibility for its doorbell cameras. But that’s not even the extent of it. The Ring doorbells could also scan to identify “suspicious” people based on their skin texture, the way they walk, and their voice. What could possibly go wrong?

The discovery comes from Insider, which looked through more than a dozen patents recently awarded to Amazon. They found that altogether, the patents outline a network of weirdly sophisticated surveillance that sounds not at all terrifying.

One Ring patent, filed and awarded in the U.S., is titled “Neighborhood Alert Mode.” At its core, it’s essentially community surveillance, with a dash of suburbanites-complaining-on-Nextdoor energy. Instead of your neighbor typing out a loaded post describing a person they deem to be a threat to the neighorhood—because what could go wrong there?—all they have to do is share a picture or video of someone they decide is suspicious to other Neighborhood users within the vicinity. Ring will then prompt other video doorbells within the network to start recording the so-called suspicious person, even if they don’t approach the front door.  .... . 

Amazon Encrypts Doorbells

 Long Awaited, we are just a bit more secure,  deserves it.

Amazon rolls out encryption for Ring doorbells  in ZDNet

Privacy advocates have been asking for Amazon to encrypt its popular Ring doorbells audio and video traffic, and Amazon is finally delivering it.

By Steven J. Vaughan-Nichols for Zero Day | July 13, 2021 -- 19:02 GMT (12:02 PDT) | Topic: Security

Did you know that that handy video your Ring doorbell takes of anyone coming by your door isn't private? If you get a Ring Protect Plan, not only are your videos kept in the Amazon Web Services (AWS) cloud, your videos can still be seen by outsiders. A sufficiently motivated hacker, or your local police force, can easily watch who's walking by your door. Until now. Starting today in the US (and soon, throughout the world), you'll be able to encrypt your video stream to keep it private.

When deciding on a work safe security system. Whether for a large or small business, these 10 options for commercial properties will help secure your workplace.

This is done with Amazon's Video End-to-End Encryption (E2EE). If you decide to install this optional privacy feature, you'll need to install a new version of the Ring application on your smartphone. Once installed, it uses a Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) security system based on an RSA 2048-bit asymmetric account signing key pair. In English, the foundation is pretty darn secure....,

Ring Door Bell Goes Radar

Like some of the directions the doorbell tech is going,  getting to be quite common. 

Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2 uses radar for bird’s-eye view of front door activity  By Patrick Hearn

 Ring’s latest addition to its lineup of smart home security devices demonstrates exactly where the company is headed. The Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2 is a new, premium video doorbell with a host of next-generation technology to help keep your home safer than ever. The camera features 3D motion detection, 1,536p video, a Bird’s Eye View feature, and customizable privacy.

Through the use of a radar sensor, the 3D motion detection technology provides more accurate and precise identification of when a motion event begins. The sensors measure an object’s distance from the camera, which makes it easier to exclude certain high-traffic areas. For example, if your doorbell faces a sidewalk, you can set it so that only motion closer to your home triggers an alert.

This feature works in conjunction with the Bird’s Eye View feature. By measuring the exact distance a person is from the camera, the Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2 gives users an aerial view of the exact path someone took on their approach. If you’re watching an event happen through Live View or even viewing it in your Event History, you will see a picture-in-picture display that shows the movement path in addition to the actual event....  ' 

Doorbell Cameras Used by Criminals too

I have recently been asked about security issues with doorbell and other smart home camera systems.  The following excerpt from The Verge shows a perhaps less than obvious use by criminals too, they could record/alert themselves whenever the FBI shows up at the door.  An embedded link in the article points to details.   A notable alternative for security concerns in the Smart Home.  More also in the full TheVerge article pointed too.

FBI worried Ring and other doorbell cameras could tip owners off to police searches
Cameras capture everybody — even the cops
By Adi Robertson@thedextriarchy  in TheVerge (Excerpt) 

....  Federal Bureau of Investigation documents warned that owners of Amazon’s Ring and similar video doorbells can use the systems — which collect video footage sometimes used to investigate crimes — in order to watch police instead.

The Intercept spotted the files in the BlueLeaks data trove aggregated from law enforcement agencies. One 2019 analysis describes numerous ways police and the FBI could use Ring surveillance footage, but it also cites “new challenges” involving sensor- and camera-equipped smart home devices. Specifically, they can offer an early warning when officers are approaching a house to search it; give away officer locations in a standoff; or let the owner capture pictures of law enforcement, “presenting a risk to their present and future safety.”

These are partly hypothetical concerns. The standoff issue, for instance, was noted in a report about motion-activated panoramic cameras. But the FBI points to a 2017 incident where agents approached the home of someone with a video doorbell, seeking to search the premises. The resident wasn’t home but saw them approach by watching a remote video feed, then preemptively contacted his neighbor and landlord about the FBI’s approach. He may also have “been able to covertly monitor law enforcement activity” with the camera.  .... "

Ring Adds Power Buttons

More add ons to security infrastructure.    World getting to be a more insecure place.

Ring adds 'panic' buttons to its home security alarm in Engadget

You can instantly get in contact with police, fire or medical responders.
Ring’s first home security alarm did its job, but wasn’t exactly the prettiest piece of hardware you’ll find on the shelf. Now, almost two years later, the company is back with a second-generation Ring Alarm that’s a lot smaller and sleeker than its predecessor. The big change, aside from the look, is that the keypad now has “panic” buttons that’ll call Medical, Fire or Police services if you so desire. ... "

Adapting Policing from Your Doorbell

Continue to follow this.   As a user and a believer in using technical collaboration to make the world safer.  Some interesting adaptations to construct community watch capabilities via Ring.

Ring update gives you more control over police video requests
It also helps you limit the people and devices that access your account.

By Jon Fingas, @jonfingas

Ring is acting on its promises to improve privacy and security in 2020. The Amazon brand has introduced a Control Center in the Ring mobile app that aims to deliver more control over access and sharing. Most notably, there's a toggle to opt out of law enforcement video requests -- you don't have to wait to receive one before making a decision. Ring is unsurprisingly encouraging customers to leave it on (it has police partnerships to maintain) in the name of neighborhood security, but it's at least acknowledging that some users are uncomfortable with serving as de facto eyes for police officers. ... "

An IOT Security Crisis?

Well hardly usual, in this case the device was placed in a bedroom and used to communicate. Hardly its stated purpose.   Any surveillance camera could have been used that way.  Its like the alleged warning on a lawn mower suggesting it should not be used to trim hedges.  By this argument the Net is the most dangerous thing of all.

Why Ring Doorbells Perfectly Exemplify the IoT Security Crisis  in Wired.
A new wave of reports about the home surveillance cameras getting hijacked by creeps is painfully familiar.

There's been a lot of creepy and concerning news about how Amazon's Ring smart doorbells are bringing surveillance to suburbia and sparking data-sharing relationships between Amazon and law enforcement. News reports this week are raising a different issue: hackers are breaking into users' Ring accounts, which can also be connected to indoor Ring cameras, to take over the devices and get up to all sorts of invasive shenanigans.

In Mississippi, a Tennessee news channel reported on Tuesday about a case where hackers hijacked an indoor Ring camera one family had placed in a bedroom and used it to talk to three young girls. And as Motherboard first showed, there are tools available online for breaking into Ring accounts by strategically guessing the login credentials. When account thieves record enough juicy audio from people's Ring feeds, there's even a podcast where they can broadcast it.  ..... "

Ring Door Bell Now Takes over Property Lighting

Have had the Ring Door Bell and door surveillance working for several years now.   It's continued to add more sophisticated options to capture and manage video and security interactions. They have now added a number of battery powered and Wifi network connected devices to light up your outdoors at night,  and add to outdoor security and lighting convenience.  All controllable via motion sensors and Alexa voice commands. Light a path, entrance or a whole property.  Remotely access the lights, and the real time video from cameras or resulting video.  Have lights chained together in groups.

The doorbell part and cameras can create 'neighborhood watches' by connecting to other nearby users of the system.   I get several alerts there every week.  And somewhat controversially,  local police departments can join these neighborhoods,  to potentially request copies of videos captured.   My suburban police district just announced it has joined, so that must be fairly common.    Video examples of how this has been used in practice are here:  https://tv.ring.com/    Considerable detail about how this works at the link.

All this is fairly easy to install, especially if you already have assistant infrastructure in place, but you can run into situations where you might need some help.

The new lighting options are described here:  https://shop.ring.com/pages/smart-lighting

Here is a review of the added lighting network capabilities in DigitalTrends.

Police Ask for Registration of Doorbell Cameras

Been intrigued by components of the smart home that can collaborate with a neighborhood for security.  Been following the ring Doorbell capabilities in this space for several years.    With an aim to create a 'smart neighborhood' by sharing video among users of the device.  In our area there are video contributions every few days.  Video clips are stored, but no recognition analysis is done.  This US Today article shows how police departments are asking for registration of cameras to aid them as well.  Statistics mentioned are interesting.

An AI Doorbell

Don't have the below, nor am I promoting it.   I have had three different doorbells to date.   I note this has just passable reviews.   Most troubling are those about support.  But it seems to have many of the needs we might want in a doorbell, an assistant, doorman at the portal.  Facial recognition.  Alexa connection.  I like the idea of a chatbot that could take information at the door.    Security?

Netvue Belle A.I. Video Doorbell
Now $169.00

Belle is the world’s 1st Artificial Intelligence Video Doorbell.

It remembers familiar faces, greets your guests by their names, allows them to leave messages, handles the package delivery for you and even automatically opens your door for the scheduled appointments with preset passcodes! It also detects unusual activities in your desired custom zones and sends you notifications when needed.

With Netvue App, you can check your front door with HD view, talk to your guests, manually unlock the door for them and playback the activity clips automatically saved on the cloud from anywhere at any time.  ... "

https://www.netvue.com/doorbell/belle/   (Descriptive)

Amazons Facial Recognition will Surveil

Overstated I think.   Its a natural and inevitable use of these technologies to make yourself and your family safer.  I have been using the Ring doorbell now for several years, and lately in a networked system, but without facial recognition.    Why not link that to law enforcement?

Amazon's Creepy Facial Recognition Doorbell Will Surveil Entire Neighborhood From People's Front Doors     via Tyler Durden

At first glance of Amazon’s new patent application, one would be tempted to think it no more than a built-in “smart” security system.

But no, this facial recognition surveillance doorbell does a lot more than record would-be thieves.
According to a new report, the patent application, made available in late November, would pair facial surveillance such as Rekognition, the product that Amazon is aggressively marketing to law enforcement, with Ring – a doorbell camera company that Amazon acquired in 2018.

CNN writes, “Amazon’s application says the process leads to safer, more connected neighborhoods, as well as better informed homeowners and law enforcement.”   ... " 

New IFTTT Functions for Assistants and Home

A number of new and interesting IFTTT  (If This Then That) functionalities for the smart home.  I always explore these offerings.   They are free.   Some new interactions that link things like doorbell pushes and multiple step 'scenes'.   Also many examples of  logging information.     A pointer to a future where there will be many selectable skills aka actions that improve the smart home by using its data.  Everyone who has assistants should explore these possibilities.

 For a number of Smart Home assistants.

 For the Ring Doorbell and connected smarthome systems.

And many more.

Amazon Alexa Redesigns App, Interface

Good idea, the former design, which we used to implement our smart home,  was confusing.  We will be using the redesign to update a more multi room interaction.  Also new uses of better Ring camera integration for security.

Amazon’s Alexa app gets new interface to simplify use, control more devices  by Bruce Brown
@brucebrown   in DigitalTrends

Amazon is rolling out a new design for the Alexa app to help users manage smart home devices in multiple rooms. The new app has a more colorful design and should make it easier for users to configure and access their Alexa-compatible devices, Tech Crunch reported.

The app redesign is better described as a “rollout-in-process” because Amazon is releasing a series of Alexa App improvements, according to Amazon’s Help and Customer Service page.  The iOS Alexa app was released first. Amazon has not announced a date for the Android version, but the company hasn’t officially announced the new app yet, possibly because they’ll wait until the majority of new app features and versions for both major mobile OSs are ready.  ... " 

Ring and Amazon

I am a user of the Ring Doorbell, have been since their beginning.   So intrigued by the implications. New kinds of image data collection?  Amazon Key service has been covered here.  Privacy of behavior in the home.

What does Ring mean for Amazon?   in Retailwire  by Chris Petersen with expert comments. 

Through a special arrangement, presented here for discussion is a summary of a current article from the IMS Results Count blog.

Amazon.com in late February acquired Ring, a maker of internet-connected doorbells and cameras, for about $1.1 billion.

Ring is best known for its Wi-Fi enabled doorbells that are equipped with cameras to detect when someone is at the door. Users receive an alert and then are able to view and talk to the individual outside their door through their smartphone.

On the surface, Ring is a powerful acquisition, which launches Amazon further into the home security space. Last year it began selling Amazon Cloud Cam, an indoor security camera of its own design. In December it acquired Blink, a maker of inexpensive internet security cameras and doorbells. Amazon also moves further into the IoT space with more popular products that can connect to Alexa. Google’s Nest also offers a home security system.

The apps and Ring subscriptions will create recurring revenue. All well and good in itself, but several reports on the acquisition focused on how Ring’s technology may build on Amazon Key, a service launched last October that allows Prime members to have orders delivered inside their homes to help deter theft and prevent fresh food from spoiling. .... " 

Amazon to Acquire Ring Doorbell

Somewhat unusual, Amazon acquiring a third party smart home capability.  Link to in-home delivery approaches?   Could lead to better compatibility between systems.    My Ring won't talk to my Amazon video enabled devices.

Amazon to acquire Ring video doorbell maker, cracking open the door in home security market
By Todd Bishop, Taylor Soper and Nat Levy ... "  in Geekwire.

(Update) Rumored for $1B.