Amazon handed Ring doorbell footage to police without user consent
PBS NewsHourDec 28, 2022
The Facts
According to a letter sent by Amazon to Congress earlier this month, its doorbell surveillance company, Ring, has shared videos with police departments 11 times this year, without the consent of users.
The letter was in response to an inquiry by Sen. Ed Markey and was publicized by his office on Wednesday.
The Spin
Establishment-critical narrative
Amazon is plagued by a myriad of ethical issues and this latest disclosure highlights its unwillingness to protect customers' data. It's time for consumers to decide whether the convenience offered by the tech company is really worth their privacy.
Pro-establishment narrative
Amazon acted well within its legal and ethical rights by disclosing the surveillance videos to law enforcement - who had judged each instance to constitute an emergency. Despite criticisms, police access to Ring's network could substantially support law enforcement's work.