Ring is starting to provide end-to-end encryption support to its cameras. The function keeps video streams that are encrypted from the camera to the device to which they are streamed, so that no one is available in between. The feature, first announced in September, launches today as a ‘technical preview’ on eight Ring cameras, including doorbells, interior and exterior models.
“End-to-end encryption is really about choosing users, to create that advanced layer of security,” said Josh Roth, chief technical officer of Ring. The edge. “Some people like a second or third fatal shot at their home.”
Footage from Ring cameras is currently encrypted when it is transmitted to Ring’s servers and then again when it sits on Ring’s servers. But Ring must still have access to the footage to enable various features, such as sharing videos through its website or streaming clips to any device you are logged on to. Ring says that they do not watch customer videos without permission, but that the company does have the technical ability to do so (and has been accused in the past of doing so without permission). If law enforcement were to get a warrant for your footage, Ring would also be able to hand it over.
End-to-end encoding removes the visibility that Ring has in your imagery, and provides more protection for privacy-conscious users in particular. But the feature has some drawbacks that add barriers and limitations to the use of the cameras. Some devices, such as the Echo Show, cannot display Ring video feeds because they cannot (currently, at least) not be configured to support the end-to-end encrypted streams. Other features, such as video sharing, become more complicated because you have to download and upload videos manually, rather than just changing the sharing settings on Ring’s website.
The feature also adds a bit of friction to the Ring’s Neighbors app, which allows Ring users to share videos with people in the area and for local law enforcement to request footage. If end-to-end encryption is enabled, camera owners can still share videos to the Neighbors app – which is criticized for containing racist remarks and reports – but they will have to manually download and upload the recording, and a few steps need to be added before they can post a survey.
With the launch, end-to-end encryption will be available on Power-plugged Ring cameras. Those cameras can process computer vision functions, such as person tracking, locally on the device, while battery-powered Ring cameras load the functions to the cloud – something that cannot be done when end-to-end encryption is enabled . No registration is required to use it, but it will be available in the US first. End-to-end encrypted videos can be streamed to recent phones and tablets with the Ring app installed.
Over time, Ring plans to expand access to all and add some additional features, such as screenshots. End-to-end encryption will not be enabled by default, but Roth said Ring will notify customers when it becomes available. It can also be turned on and off room-by-camera.
“End-to-end is one of the features that some users will like,” Roth said, “and some will say they don’t need it.”
Correction 13 January, 11:34 ET: The technical preview will be available on eight Ring cameras, not on nine as Ring initially told us.