Amazon's Ring to partner with Flock, a network of AI cameras used by ICE, feds, and police

TechCrunch
TechCrunch
2M ago
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Amazon's Ring announced a partnership with Flock, enabling law enforcement to request footage from Ring users. This matters due to concerns over privacy and racial bias in AI surveillance technology.
Amazon's Ring to partner with Flock, a network of AI cameras used by ICE, feds, and police
A What happened
On October 16, 2025, Amazon's Ring announced a partnership with Flock, a network of AI surveillance cameras utilized by various law enforcement agencies, including ICE and the Secret Service. This collaboration allows law enforcement to request footage from Ring doorbell users to aid in evidence collection and investigations. Flock's technology includes features like license plate scanning and natural language searches of video footage. However, the use of AI in surveillance has been criticized for exacerbating racial biases. The partnership raises concerns about privacy, especially given Ring's history of security issues, including a 2023 FTC ruling that fined the company for inadequate video access controls.
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Key insights

  • 1

    Privacy Concerns: The partnership raises significant privacy issues for Ring users.

  • 2

    Racial Bias in AI: AI surveillance technology has been shown to worsen racial biases.

  • 3

    Law Enforcement Access: Flock's network expands law enforcement's access to surveillance footage.

Takeaways

The partnership between Amazon's Ring and Flock highlights the ongoing tension between technological advancements in surveillance and the ethical implications surrounding privacy and bias.

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