More than 30 digital rights and civil liberties organisations have demanded that local, state, and federal officials end partnerships between Ring, Amazon’s camera-enabled doorbell company, and over 400 law enforcement agencies in the US. “These partnerships pose a serious threat to civil rights and liberties, especially for black and brown communities already targeted and surveilled by law enforcement,” the digital rights organisations wrote in an open letter. This development comes after a report in The Washington Post said that more than 400 police forces had partnered with Amazon-owned Ring to get access to homeowners’ camera footage. Amazon had acquired Ring last year for a billion dollars. Signatories of the letter include RAICES, The Tor Project, CREDO Action, Fight for the Future, Media Justice along with organisations that fight for the rights of people of colour, such as, The Black Alliance for Just Immigration and Color of Change among others. What does the letter demand? Pass surveillance oversight ordinances “that will deter police departments from entering into such agreements in the future”. Congress should investigate Ring’s practices. How does Ring work? According to recent data, more than 500 law enforcement agencies are active on Rings' Neighbors app. According to the app's website, it provides real-time crime and safety alerts from users of the app and also by local law enforcement agencies. Users of Ring's doorbell camera are automatically enrolled on the app. Users can also post videos from their home camera and comment on others’ videos on the app, according to Vox. How do law enforcement…
