Amazon-owned Ring announced Thursday it is terminating its planned collaboration with surveillance company Flock Safety following widespread concerns over privacy and a controversial Super Bowl advertisement highlighting its AI-powered Search Party feature.
The feature allows Ring users to alert participating cameras in their neighborhood to help locate missing pets, but critics raised alarms about potential misuse for human surveillance.
The canceled partnership was originally announced in October 2025 and intended to expand Ring’s Community Requests feature, which enables users to voluntarily share video footage with law enforcement during active investigations.
Ring emphasized that no customer footage was ever shared with Flock Safety and that the integration never launched.
“Following a comprehensive review, we determined the planned Flock Safety integration would require significantly more time and resources than anticipated. As a result, we have made the joint decision to cancel the planned integration,” the company said.
The Super Bowl ad, which depicted a lost dog being located through Ring’s Search Party network, drew widespread online discussion.
Critics warned that the AI-powered tool could be adapted to track humans, citing similarities to facial recognition programs.
The Electronic Frontier Foundation described the feature as a potential “surveillance nightmare.”
Ring maintained that Search Party focuses exclusively on pets and that participation is fully controlled by users.
According to USA Today, Search Party allows camera owners to decide whether to share video when a potential match is detected.
Ring stated that the feature has helped reunite an average of more than one dog per day with its owners since launch.
“I thought Ring could only be used for security. It has changed now in its purpose for me,” said Lainey’s owner, Kurt, whose husky shepherd was located through the system.
Flock Safety operates automated license plate readers, audio detectors, and neighborhood camera networks, partnering with local law enforcement agencies.
While some privacy advocates expressed concern that its data could be used by federal immigration authorities, the company has publicly denied sharing information with the Department of Homeland Security or Immigration and Customs Enforcement, according to CNBC.
Ring stressed that the Community Requests feature remains a core component of its service.
Users retain complete control over which videos they share, and all requests are publicly logged to ensure transparency and accountability.
The company also reaffirmed its commitment to evaluating future partnerships with privacy and customer trust in mind, The Hill reported.
Experts say the controversy underscores a broader national debate over consumer surveillance technology and the use of AI in everyday devices.
While law enforcement increasingly relies on doorbell footage to solve crimes, privacy advocates caution that expanding AI surveillance features could risk overreach.
“Technology like this has the potential to improve safety, but without strict controls, it could be misused,” said privacy analyst Rachel Dixon of the Electronic Privacy Center.
Ring continues to maintain other law enforcement partnerships, including with Axon, which is also integrated into Community Requests.
These agreements allow public safety agencies to submit voluntary requests for video footage to assist investigations.
As AI tools become more integrated into smart home products, companies like Ring face increasing pressure to balance innovation with privacy protections.
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