Ring hopes new encryption tech will ease surveillance fears around its home security cameras

Key Points:

• Ring, a major U.S. home security camera provider, is introducing a new encryption technology called TAKE ("throw away the key") to enhance user privacy by ensuring only the customer has access to their video footage stored in the cloud.
• The TAKE technology prevents third parties, including law enforcement and Amazon, from viewing home security videos without user consent, reinforcing Ring's existing privacy policies on a technical level.
• Starting in September, TAKE will be the default security setting on all Ring cameras, while the company will continue to offer end-to-end encryption as an optional feature for users.
• This move follows growing public unease about surveillance and privacy concerns related to widespread camera use, and comes after Ring faced criticism over its law enforcement partnerships and surveillance fears earlier this year.
• Ring hopes the new encryption will alleviate anxieties about unauthorized access to footage, making people feel more secure when they see Ring cameras in their neighborhoods.