At the end of January, Ring announced an in‑app Control Center that became the foundation of its privacy and security tools. In 2025, Ring’s toolkit extends beyond that launch: two‑step verification is required for all accounts and managed in Control Center, optional video end‑to‑end encryption (E2EE) is available on eligible devices, local video processing/storage is possible via Ring Edge with Alarm Pro and a supported microSD card, and customers using Amazon sign‑in can enable phishing‑resistant passkeys for passwordless login (Ring Privacy; E2EE; Ring Edge; Amazon passkeys). These additions arrived alongside governance changes: as of January 2024, Ring removed the in‑app tool that let public safety agencies request user videos through Neighbors (policy change), addressing long‑running scrutiny over camera hijackings and unprecedented partnerships with local police.
Ring faced significant media scrutiny over the past year, notably in Motherboard’s expose of police contracts and reported algorithmic bias. Since then, broader policy shifts have accelerated: the European Parliament adopted the EU AI Act setting strict conditions on biometric identification; Chicago moved to end its citywide gunshot‑detection program amid performance and equity concerns (ShotSpotter decision); and Detroit agreed to facial‑recognition safeguards limiting arrests based solely on algorithmic matches (settlement terms). At the platform level, Ring’s January 2024 change ended in‑app police requests (The Verge), a move civil‑liberties groups described as curtailing crowdsourced evidence solicitation while leaving traditional legal avenues intact (EFF analysis). Early coverage of Control Center included a Gizmodo-associated preview.
The update itself is no longer low‑lift. The app’s Control Center now centralizes account security and data controls—required two‑step verification, authorized device management, linked services, and video‑retention settings—alongside law‑enforcement information (Control Center; Ring Privacy). Users can secure accounts with two‑factor authentication and, if they sign in with an Amazon account, enable passkeys (FIDO2/WebAuthn) for phishing‑resistant, passwordless login. For video, Ring encrypts by default in transit and at rest and offers optional E2EE on supported devices; enabling E2EE places limits on some integrations and cloud‑dependent features as documented by Ring. CISA recommends phishing‑resistant MFA where possible (CISA guidance).
Two‑factor authentication remains critical, but effectiveness varies by factor. In 2025 guidance, phishing‑resistant MFA (FIDO2/WebAuthn passkeys or hardware keys) offers the strongest protection against adversary‑in‑the‑middle phishing and SIM‑swap attacks, while SMS/voice codes are considered lowest assurance (CISA; NIST SP 800‑63B). This matters because the human element remains a leading driver of breaches and the use of stolen credentials accounts for a substantial share of compromises—roughly a third in pattern analyses (Verizon DBIR). Phishing also leads cybercrime by volume, and Business Email Compromise continues to impose multibillion‑dollar losses (approximately $3B reported for 2024) (FBI IC3). Broad MFA adoption plus migration to phishing‑resistant authenticators—and the availability of Amazon passkeys for Ring sign‑in—materially reduces real‑world risk.
By centralizing privacy and safety controls, Ring makes it easier to apply stronger defaults. Control Center surfaces privacy zones, an audio‑recording toggle, Modes (Disarmed/Home/Away), and adjustable cloud video‑retention periods (Ring Privacy). It also lists authorized devices so you can revoke access quickly (Control Center). For maximum privacy, eligible cameras and doorbells can use video E2EE—Ring cannot decrypt E2EE content, but some features/integrations become unavailable when it’s on. Users who want local video can deploy Ring Edge with Ring Alarm Pro and a compatible microSD card to process and store supported events locally, reducing reliance on the cloud. Many Ring devices can also participate in Amazon Sidewalk to extend connectivity; participation can be disabled in settings (Sidewalk and Ring).
One tab for all things security is a sensible design solution. It also clarifies public‑safety context: approximately 2,600 public safety agencies (police and fire) participated in Ring’s Neighbors program as of early 2024 (The Verge; EFF). In January 2024, Ring removed the in‑app “Request for Assistance” tool, so agencies can no longer use Neighbors to solicit user video; footage requests now proceed through legal process outside the app or emergency disclosures per Ring’s policies (transparency report). If you enable E2EE, Ring states it cannot access your video content to provide to anyone (E2EE).
And while prior to the update, Ring users were able to opt out of the police program only after a police request had been made, now users can preemptively manage whether police can contact them. In practice today, Control Center lets you review law‑enforcement information and manage your participation in Neighbors, while video requests—if any—must occur outside the app via lawful process (Control Center; Ring’s 2024 update). This aligns with broader smart‑home security trends: the U.S. is launching a national, voluntary Cyber Trust Mark label; the U.K.’s PSTI Act bans universal default passwords and mandates vulnerability disclosure and update‑support transparency; and the EU’s Radio Equipment Directive will require cybersecurity protections for many wireless devices from August 1, 2025 (EU RED). In the competitive landscape, Ring offers optional E2EE and local storage via Ring Edge (Alarm Pro + microSD) on supported devices, whereas Google Nest encrypts in transit/at rest without user‑controlled E2EE, Arlo provides mandatory 2FA and robust hub‑based local storage but not true user‑controlled E2EE, Eufy emphasizes local‑first storage with E2EE claims, and Apple’s HomeKit Secure Video provides E2EE by design with on‑device analysis (Ring E2EE overview; Ring Edge overview; Google Nest security; Arlo security; Eufy security; Apple HKSV).
