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

Amazon announced a partnership with surveillance camera maker Ring on Thursday flockA maker of AI-powered surveillance cameras that share footage with law enforcement.

Now, organizations using Flock can request Ring Doorbell users Share footage To assist in “evidence gathering and investigative work”.

Flock cameras work by scanning license plates and other identifying information about the cars they see. Flock’s government and police customers can search their video footage in natural language to find people who match specific descriptions. However, AI-powered technology used by law enforcement has been proven to increase Racial bias.

On the same day Ring announced the partnership, 404 Media reported That ICE, Secret Service and Navy had access to Flock’s camera network. By partnering with Ring, Flock can access footage from potentially millions more cameras.

The ring was a long one Poor track record With keeping videos of customers safe And safe. In 2023, the FTC ordered the company to pay $5.8 million over claims that employees and contractors had unrestricted access to customer videos for years.