Starting October 21, UK residents will gain access to a new tool for enhancing neighborhood safety and communication as Amazon-owned Ring launches its Neighbours community app. The app allows users to share local safety updates, community news, and information on lost pets without needing to own a Ring device. This development aims to provide a more specialized alternative to larger social media groups like those on WhatsApp and Facebook.
The Neighbours app will function through the existing Ring platform, enabling users to set their address and choose a community radius from 0.1 to five miles. With categories for organizing posts, the app will utilize both artificial intelligence and human moderators to ensure content adheres to guidelines, which prohibit illegal activities, discrimination, and speculation.
While the UK version of the app will launch without some features available in the US, such as tools for fire departments to post alerts and the ability for police to request Ring camera footage, Ring is considering adding these functionalities in the future. This cautious approach comes in light of privacy concerns and controversies in the US, particularly regarding police access to Ring camera footage.
In addition to the Neighbours app, Ring is introducing Search Party for Dogs, a feature that enables users to report missing dogs with photos and details. Participating Ring camera owners with appropriate cloud subscriptions can opt to receive alerts if their cameras detect a potential missing pet, deciding whether to share this footage with the pet owner.
Ring, acquired by Amazon in 2018, has been under scrutiny for privacy issues related to its smart-home security technology. To address these concerns, Ring recently implemented TAKE, a default encryption system using time-limited keys to protect camera recordings, ensuring that footage remains inaccessible unless the user consents to extended access.