Neighbors (app)

Last updated
Neighbors
Developer(s) Ring LLC
Operating system Android, iOS
License Freeware

Neighbors by Ring, also known as simply Neighbors, is a hyperlocal social networking app owned by Ring LLC, a subsidiary of Amazon.com Inc.

Contents

The app allows users to anonymously discuss crime and public safety issues within their local community. It integrates with Ring's smart doorbell and surveillance camera products, allowing users to share photos and video clips from the devices' cameras to accompany their posts. The app is also used as part of partnerships between Ring and local law enforcement agencies, who can make verified public service posts on the service, and use an online portal to collect footage posted on Neighbors to assist in investigations.

Usage

The app displays posts and notifications that fall within a five-mile (8 km) radius of the user's home address. Users can report on news and events within their neighborhood, as well as share photos and video. Users can comment on these reports in order to provide additional information. [1] Unlike competing services such as Nextdoor, the service focuses exclusively on public safety, and posts are moderated to remove off-topic content. [2]

Verified law enforcement agencies can post public bulletins on Neighbors to request assistance for investigations, such as locating a missing person or a suspect in a crime. [3] Members of police departments can request access to the "Neighbors Portal" to collect publicly-posted multimedia from Neighbors to assist in investigations: a case number is required, but no evidence is needed. Up to 12 hours of footage from within the past 45 days can be collected, within a maximum area of 0.5 square miles. [4] [5] Users are automatically notified and asked for permission for footage to be released. [6]

Reception

Neighbors has received criticism over Ring's partnerships with law enforcement agencies. [7] The Electronic Frontier Foundation stated that apps such as Neighbors "facilitate reporting of so-called 'suspicious' behavior that really amounts to racial profiling." [8] Fight for the Future has considered Ring and Neighbors to be a private surveillance network, backed by partnerships with law enforcement that "undermine our democratic process and basic civil liberties". [9]

Further reading

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Closed-circuit television</span> Use of video cameras to transmit a signal to a specific place on a limited set of monitors

Closed-circuit television (CCTV), also known as video surveillance, is the use of video cameras to transmit a signal to a specific place, on a limited set of monitors. It differs from broadcast television in that the signal is not openly transmitted, though it may employ point-to-point (P2P), point-to-multipoint (P2MP), or mesh wired or wireless links. Even though almost all video cameras fit this definition, the term is most often applied to those used for surveillance in areas that require additional security or ongoing monitoring.

Axon Enterprise, Inc. is an American company based in Scottsdale, Arizona that develops technology and weapons products for military, law enforcement, and civilians.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">IP camera</span> Network-connected digital video camera

An Internet Protocol camera, or IP camera, is a type of digital video camera that receives control data and sends image data via an IP network. They are commonly used for surveillance, but, unlike analog closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras, they require no local recording device, only a local area network. Most IP cameras are webcams, but the term IP camera or netcam usually applies only to those that can be directly accessed over a network connection.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nextdoor</span> Hyperlocal social networking service for neighborhoods

Nextdoor Holdings, Inc. is an American company which operates a hyperlocal social networking service for neighborhoods. The company was founded in 2008 and is based in San Francisco, California. Nextdoor launched in the United States in October 2011, and is available in 11 countries as of May 2023. Users of Nextdoor are required to submit their real names and addresses to the website. However, they do not verify the accuracy of submitted names and addresses.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Google Nest</span> Brand of smart home products by Google

Google Nest is a line of smart home products including smart speakers, smart displays, streaming devices, thermostats, smoke detectors, routers and security systems including smart doorbells, cameras and smart locks.

Fight for the Future is a nonprofit advocacy group in the area of digital rights founded in 2011. The group aims to promote causes related to copyright legislation, as well as online privacy and censorship through the use of the Internet.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ring (company)</span> Home security products manufacturer

Ring LLC is a manufacturer of home security and smart home devices owned by Amazon. It manufactures a titular line of smart doorbells, home security cameras, and alarm systems. It also operates Neighbors, a social network that allows users to discuss local safety and security issues, and share footage captured with Ring products. Via Neighbors, Ring may also provide footage and data to law enforcement agencies to assist in investigations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mass surveillance in China</span> Network of monitoring systems used by the Chinese government

Mass surveillance in the People's Republic of China (PRC) is the network of monitoring systems used by the Chinese central government to monitor Chinese citizens. It is primarily conducted through the government, although corporate surveillance in connection with the Chinese government has been reported to occur. China monitors its citizens through Internet surveillance, camera surveillance, and through other digital technologies. It has become increasingly widespread and grown in sophistication under General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) Xi Jinping's administration.

Dropcam, Inc. was an American technology company headquartered in San Francisco, California. The company is known for its Wi-Fi video streaming cameras, Dropcam and Dropcam Pro, that allow people to view live feeds through Dropcam's cloud-based service. On June 20, 2014, it was announced that Google's Nest Labs bought Dropcam for $555 million, a decision Dropcam co-founder Greg Duffy later described as a "mistake". In June 2015, Nest introduced the Nest Cam, a successor to the Dropcam Pro. Support for Dropcam services is planned to end on April 8, 2024.

The Large Emergency Event Digital Information Repository (LEEDIR) is a mobile app and web application that allows photo sharing and video sharing and enables citizens to submit pictures and videos directly to law enforcement and relief agencies during major occurrences including natural disasters, terrorist, and criminal events. Police are embracing apps to crowdsource investigations. LEEDIR's free platform that can be activated by law enforcement and/or relief agencies during a major emergency event in the US and is available to receive uploads from citizens immediately after activation. The LEEDIR application platform is supported by providers CitizenGlobal and Amazon Web Services.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">HomeKit</span> Software framework by Apple for home automation

HomeKit, also known as Apple Home, is a software framework and communication protocol developed by Apple Inc. that lets users configure, communicate with and control smart-home appliances using Apple devices. It provides users with a way to automatically discover such devices and configure them. By designing rooms, items and actions in HomeKit, users can enable automations in the home through a voice command to Siri or through the Home app. With HomeKit, developers are able to create complex applications in order to manage accessories at a high level.

Google Photos is a photo sharing and storage service developed by Google. It was announced in May 2015 and spun off from Google+, the company's former social network.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Smart doorbell</span> Internet-connected doorbell

A smart doorbell is an internet-connected doorbell that notifies the home owner on his or her device when a visitor arrives at the door. It activates when the visitor presses the button of the doorbell, or alternatively, when the doorbell senses a visitor with its built-in motion sensors. The smart doorbell lets the home owner use a smartphone app to watch and talk with the visitor by using the doorbell's built-in high-definition infrared camera and microphone. They can be either battery operated or wired. Some smart doorbells also allow the user to open the door remotely using a smart lock.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blink Home</span> Home automation company

Blink is an American home automation company which produces battery-powered home security cameras. The company was founded in 2009 by Peter Besen, Don Shulsinger, Dan Grunberg, Stephen Gordon, and Doug Chin. The company was initially started as Immedia Semiconductor Inc in 2009, but pivoted into a consumer electronics company. In July 2014, the company had a Kickstarter campaign for their indoor security camera, which raised over US$1 million. Subsequently, Blink later announced an outdoor security camera, home security system, and video doorbell.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Police surveillance in New York City</span>

The New York City Police Department (NYPD) actively monitors public activity in New York City, New York, United States. Historically, surveillance has been used by the NYPD for a range of purposes, including against crime, counter-terrorism, and also for nefarious or controversial subjects such as monitoring political demonstrations, activities, and protests, and even entire ethnic and religious groups.

Amazon Rekognition is a cloud-based software as a service (SaaS) computer vision platform that was launched in 2016. It has been sold to, and used by a number of United States government agencies, including U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Orlando, Florida police, as well as private entities.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Package theft</span> Theft of a package or parcel

Package theft or cargo theft is the theft of a package or parcel. It can occur anywhere in the distribution channel. One major type is porch piracy which has been defined as, "Taking possession of a package or its contents, outside of a residence or business, where it has been commercially delivered or has been left for commercial pickup, with intent to deprive the rightful owner of the contents or even try to sell the contents.

Clearview AI is an American facial recognition company, providing software to law enforcement and government agencies and other organizations. The company's algorithm matches faces to a database of more than 20 billion images collected from the Internet, including social media applications. Founded by Hoan Ton-That and Richard Schwartz, the company maintained a low profile until late 2019, when its usage by law enforcement was reported. U.S. by police have used the software to apprehend suspected criminals. Clearview's practices have lead to fines by EU nations for violating privacy laws and investigations in the U.S. and other countries as well.

Comparison of user features of messaging platforms refers to a comparison of all the various user features of various electronic instant messaging platforms. This includes a wide variety of resources; it includes standalone apps, platforms within websites, computer software, and various internal functions available on specific devices, such as iMessage for iPhones.

Ring Nation is an American syndicated television series that premiered on September 26, 2022. Hosted by comedian Wanda Sykes, alongside Crystal Cruz and Steve Patterson as correspondents, and produced by MGM Television, the series highlights viral videos recorded via phones, home security cameras, and smart doorbells. The series is co-branded with Ring, a manufacturer of such products.

References

  1. "Ring Neighbors Is the Best and Worst Neighborhood Watch App". Wirecutter. The New York Times. 2020-02-14. Retrieved 2020-10-13.
  2. Rubin, Ben Fox. "How Ring's Neighbors app is making home security a social thing". CNET. Retrieved 2020-06-03.
  3. Harwell, Drew (August 28, 2019). "Doorbell-camera firm Ring has partnered with 400 police forces, extending surveillance concerns". Washington Post.
  4. Lecher, Colin (November 19, 2019). "Amazon lets police ask for Ring videos that are more than a month old". The Verge . Retrieved November 20, 2019.
  5. "Response Letter_Ring_Senator Markey January 11, 2019.pdf" (PDF). Ed Markey . United States Senate. November 1, 2019. Retrieved November 20, 2019.
  6. Biddle, Sam (February 14, 2019). "Amazon's Home Surveillance Chief Declared War on "Dirtbag Criminals" as Company Got Closer to Police". The Intercept . Retrieved January 17, 2020.
  7. Lecher, Colin (2019-11-19). "Amazon lets police ask for Ring videos that are more than a month old". The Verge. Retrieved 2020-06-03.
  8. Guariglia, Matthew (August 8, 2019). "Amazon's Ring Is a Perfect Storm of Privacy Threats". Electronic Frontier Foundation . Retrieved August 13, 2019.
  9. "Amazon's Ring doorbell police tie-up criticised". BBC News . August 1, 2019. Retrieved August 3, 2019.

Official website