Ring adds end-to-end video encoding to its doorbells and security cameras at CES 2021

This story is part of CES, where our editors will bring you the latest news and the most popular articles from the all-virtual CES 2021.

The smart home business Ring on Wednesday introduced end-to-end encryption for its video doorbells and security cameras for homes. Ring’s end-to-end video coding is being launched as a ‘technical preview’, starting today with existing customers. The feature is available on an opt-in basis.

CNET has temporarily stopped recommending Ring products due to concern and privacy, specifically she partnerships with law enforcement in the US and user data exposed at the end of 2019. Ring has since updated its policies, including to make privacy and security settings more accessible via a control center dashboard and mandatory two-factor authentication.

Amazon’s latest move to improve video encryption is another promising step toward maintaining control over their recorded video files. Yet it is not the first company to offer it. Apple’s HomeKit Secure Video Platform also supports end-to-end encryption.

An opt-in feature

Ring says it already encrypts videos when uploaded to the cloud and stored on its servers. End-to-end encryption gives customers an ‘extra lock’ that only a customer can unlock on the phone associated with their Ring account. This means that Ring and Amazon can not decrypt customers and then watch videos of customers when this feature is used, not even for law enforcement, a Ring representative said by email.

Ring also confirmed that customers can not submit end-to-end encrypted videos through the Neighborhood Video Question Portal. The portal is used as part of Ring’s Neighborhood Program, which enables customers to share video footage with law enforcement agencies. Customers using Ring’s end-to-end encryption feature will need to decrypt the video before sharing it with police.

To find your current encryption settings and to record end-to-end encryption, visit the Ring app’s Control Center and look at the Video Encryption page. I will be reporting again on what it’s actually like to subscribe to Ring’s end-to-end encryption soon, so stay tuned for updates.