This year’s Super Bowl commercials had a notable trend—not just the companies leaning into ’90s nostalgia to attract Millennials, but also the rise of artificial intelligence. Amazon, for instance, showcased its new AI features that use its Ring camera network for extensive surveillance, which is almost reminiscent of the movie *Minority Report*. The concerning part? This feature comes enabled by default, so your Ring camera might already be monitoring your street.
Your neighborhood is under AI surveillance
It’s a bit surreal to think that Amazon spent millions on ads to reveal something many companies would keep quiet: their Ring camera is now, in essence, an AI-driven surveillance device.
The cameras are automatically opted into this feature, scanning the neighborhood.
This feature, known as Search Party, is depicted in a thirty-second ad where a little girl receives a puppy. After she bonds with the dog, it goes missing, only to be located thanks to Ring cameras that analyze the streets. At first glance, it’s a touching story that portrays this tool as a smart, helpful way to reunite pets with their owners.
To Amazon’s credit, this feature aims to help users—reportedly helping multiple dogs find their way home each day. But, there’s a significant concern here: the potential for Search Party’s functions to be expanded to scan human faces. Ring offers a similar capability for identifiable family members and friends under its Familiar Faces feature, making this fear not entirely unfounded. Essentially, it can pave the way for an enhanced surveillance system integrating facial recognition, identity verification, and access to criminal databases. It’s a bit unsettling, really.
Search Party is automatically enabled on all Ring outdoor cameras and doorbells, meaning your device was included in this service without your explicit consent and is actively looking for lost pets.
Can the government use search parties to spy on Americans?
Amazon claims that the foundations of Ring’s products include privacy, security, and user control. If that were genuinely the case, users should have been given an option to opt in from the start—but, that’s a separate conversation.
In truth, Ring only shares your personal data and footage when there’s a legal order or an urgent request from law enforcement involving imminent danger. So, the government likely doesn’t use Search Parties for surveillance purposes now, or at least they claim they don’t.
However, it remains troubling that one day, Ring could compile and archive data on anyone who walks by your camera—a reality disguised as a helpful pet locator.
How to disable Search Party on your Ring camera
While Search Parties are pre-enabled on your device, you can turn them off. Here’s how to do it:
- Open the Ring app on your smartphone.
- Click on the menu in the upper left corner.
- Select “Control Center” from the options.
- Tap “Find Lost Pets” under Search Party to disable it.
Neighbors also need to know about search parties
Disabling Search Parties on your camera is just part of the solution. Other Ring cameras in your neighborhood may still be watching you and your neighbors. To effectively push Amazon’s AI out of your community, it’s essential to spread the word.
Consider informing your neighbors about this feature and how to turn it off. Whether at a town hall meeting or a casual conversation, let everyone know that you do not want Search Parties in your vicinity. Only then can you truly avoid Amazon’s watchful gaze.
