AMAZON FINALLY ADMITS TO CONGRESS THEY GIVE POLICE RING CAMERA FOOTAGE
Ah, technology is really changing what we think about privacy. Or maybe it’s what we assumed about privacy? Because things are moving very, very fast. Just consider how many people likely own the Amazon Ring doorbell camera. There are a lot of them. And with good reason, it’s a pretty god product. It is essentially a security camera for your home that is totally functional. It’s also networked, which gives their owners a lot of reassurance when they are at home, and away. But what if your Ring camera took video footage that Amazon gave to police? And you had no idea? Is that ok? Would that be ok with you?
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AMAZON CAN GIVE POLICE YOUR RING CAMERA FOOTAGE WITH NO WARRANT, AND WITHOUT YOUR CONSENT
Because not only did Amazon finally admit this in a letter to Congress, we now also know that they have been doing this with no warrant, and without the consent of their clients’. So remember that time you got your dime bag delivered at your home, in a state where Mary Jane is still illegal? It’s entirely possible Amazon could have sent footage of that transaction to police without a warrant, your knowledge, or consent. That’s kind of scary stuff. Just think of all the possible permutations. You’re having an affair. You’re a personal counselor/lawyer/masseuse/life coach and all your clients are on video. The list is endless.
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EVEN WORSE, AMAZON RESERVES THE RIGHT TO USE YOUR RING CAMERA TO RECORD FACE, VOICE BIOMETRICS
And it gets worse! Really. How? Well, Amazon has declined to “commit” to some very basic things moving forward with this technology service they provide. Beyond, of course, sharing your video feeds with police without a warrant or your permission. So what else? Amazon doesn’t want to commit to not using both voice and face recognition technology with their Ring cameras. I mean, maybe your Ring cameras. So the biometrics of your face and voice could be on file with Amazon. And anyone who ever goes to your home, too. And if “law enforcement” thinks that could have value to their “investigations”, how much do you want bet Amazon will ask you first before they give that to them?
Scary stuff, indeed. If you want some home security that stays at home, get a video doorbell where the footage is stored on a hard drive you own, at home. Password protected.
