Amazon has scrapped a planned partnership between its Ring doorbell unit and surveillance firm Flock Safety following widespread public criticism over privacy concerns. The proposed integration would have allowed law enforcement to request home video footage from Ring users through Flock’s automated license plate recognition system. Although participation would have been voluntary, critics warned the technology could be used to monitor individuals, raising fears of racial profiling, immigration enforcement misuse and expanded state surveillance. Amazon and Flock Safety said the project was cancelled after determining it would require more time and resources than anticipated, but the decision follows mounting backlash from privacy advocates. The episode underscores growing scrutiny over the role of smart home devices in law enforcement and the balance between security tools and civil liberties.
