Loading story…
Ring has introduced Throw Away the Key Encryption (TAKE), a new default video-encryption architecture designed to retain cloud-based camera and AI features while reducing the period in which Ring can decrypt customer footage. Built on the open Messaging Layer Security (MLS) standard, TAKE assigns unique rotating keys to recordings; Ring can use a temporary cloud-held copy to process requested features, then deletes the key within 24 hours of completing that processing. A phased global rollout is planned to begin in September 2026.
Ring said it will be unable to provide TAKE-protected video in response to valid government requests once the relevant keys have been deleted, though it may still supply non-video account information and users can voluntarily share recordings. Customers can instead enable end-to-end encryption, which offers stronger protection but disables Shared User video access and certain cloud-dependent capabilities; keys may be recovered through nearby-camera authentication, passphrases, or cloud backups. Ring Verify, a separate digital seal for validating exported cloud-video integrity, is not compatible with end-to-end-encrypted recordings.
See the reporting duties and controls this puts on the clock.
1 event from the most recent confirmed update back to the earliest known activity.
Ring announced Throw Away the Key Encryption (TAKE), a default video-encryption model using rotating keys temporarily retained in a secure cloud enclave for up to 24 hours to support enabled cloud features before deletion. Ring said TAKE is built on the Messaging Layer Security standard and users can alternatively select end-to-end encryption.
Vulnerabilities, threat actors, malware, products, organizations, and breaches Mallory has linked to this story.
See what this changes for your reporting obligations and which controls it puts on the clock.
3 references tracked. Mallory keeps watching after this page renders.
ghacks.net
Open sourcetechrepublic.com
Open sourcescworld.com
Open sourceMap indicators from this story to your assets and identify affected systems in minutes.
Every observed campaign, victim, and pivot linked to actors named in this story.
Malware, exploits, and IOCs connected to the activity described here.
YARA, Sigma, and Snort rules deployed to your SIEM as soon as they’re published.
Get matching new stories delivered to your team as they break — not the next morning.
Ask questions about this story and take action on the answers.
Other stories Mallory is tracking that overlap on entities, sources, or topic labels.
Amazon-owned **Ring** introduced **Ring Verify**, a content authenticity feature designed to help recipients determine whether Ring camera videos have been edited or altered after leaving Ring’s cloud. The feature embeds a *digital “tamper-evident” seal* (content credentials) into videos; edits such as trimming, cropping, applying filters, or even brightness adjustments will cause verification to fail, signaling the file has been modified rather than proving it is “fake.” Ring Verify is automatically applied to videos recorded from **December 2025 onward** and is included with videos downloaded or shared from Ring’s cloud across Ring devices, with no user setup required. Verification can be performed by submitting a Ring video link for an immediate result (with Ring stating the link check occurs in-browser and is not uploaded), and Ring advises requesting an original Ring-app share if a file returns “not verified” (e.g., due to pre-launch recordings or third-party platform recompression). Videos recorded with **end-to-end encryption** are expected to return **“not verified,”** limiting the feature’s applicability for E2EE users.
Jun 29, 2026
Amazon’s Ring announced a new partnership with Flock Safety, a company known for its AI-powered surveillance cameras and extensive law enforcement clientele, including federal agencies such as ICE, the Secret Service, and the Navy. This collaboration will enable approximately 5,000 local law enforcement agencies to request access to footage from Ring cameras through Flock’s surveillance platforms, FlockOS and Flock Nova. Law enforcement officers will be able to send direct posts in the Ring Neighbors app, specifying the location, timeframe, investigation code, and details of the incident for which footage is being sought. Ring users can review these requests anonymously and voluntarily submit their footage, which Flock will securely package and deliver to the requesting agency. Flock’s technology is notable for its ability to scan license plates and other vehicle identifiers, as well as perform natural language searches to find individuals matching specific descriptions in video footage. The partnership raises significant privacy concerns, as Flock’s AI-powered systems have been criticized for exacerbating racial biases in law enforcement operations. The integration of Ring’s vast network of consumer cameras with Flock’s law enforcement tools could potentially provide authorities with access to millions of additional video feeds. This development has reignited longstanding debates about surveillance, privacy, and the potential for abuse, especially given Ring’s previous issues with video security and employee access. In 2023, the FTC fined Ring $5.8 million after it was revealed that employees and contractors had unrestricted access to customer videos for years. The partnership is positioned as a tool for evidence collection and investigative work, but critics warn that it could further erode the privacy of individuals whose homes and neighborhoods are monitored by Ring devices. The collaboration also highlights the growing trend of private surveillance technology companies working closely with law enforcement, blurring the lines between public safety and personal privacy. Flock’s announcement emphasizes that all footage sharing remains voluntary, but the scale and ease of law enforcement requests may pressure users to comply. The partnership is expected to streamline investigative processes for police, but it also amplifies concerns about the normalization of mass surveillance in residential areas. Privacy advocates are calling for greater transparency and oversight regarding how footage is requested, shared, and used by authorities. The move underscores the increasing reliance of law enforcement on private-sector surveillance infrastructure, raising questions about accountability and the protection of civil liberties.
Jun 29, 2026
Amazon-owned **Ring** said it has cancelled its planned partnership with **Flock Safety**, which would have enabled Ring doorbell users to share video with Flock’s law-enforcement network for “evidence collection and investigative work.” Both companies said the decision was mutual and attributed it to implementation complexity, stating the integration would “require significantly more time and resources than anticipated.” The cancellation followed public backlash after a Ring Super Bowl advertisement highlighted AI-enabled search capabilities, prompting renewed privacy concerns about how networked consumer cameras and related features could be used for surveillance. Reporting also highlighted controversy around Flock’s expanding footprint of **automated license plate reader (ALPR)** and other AI-enabled camera deployments, including claims that some agencies accessed or searched databases without authorization and that footage has been used by federal entities (including immigration enforcement), issues that have led some cities to end contracts; Amazon additionally emphasized the integration **was never live** and that **no videos were shared** between Ring and Flock.
Jun 29, 2026