Amazon settles lawsuit with FTC over Ring doorbell privateness issues

Amazon can pay $5.8 million to settle a not too long ago introduced privateness lawsuit raised by the Federal Commerce Fee. In response to the federal grievance, Ring had allowed staff and third-party contractors full entry to buyer video content material. This unfettered entry was abused by some staff and contractors and was used to violate the privateness of each Ring clients and different employees.

The lawsuit highlights a number of instances the place hacked cameras had been used to sexually harass and spy on girls, stalk feminine co-workers who used Ring merchandise, utter racial slurs towards kids and extra. The FTC alleges that Amazon failed to deal with these points after shopping for the corporate in 2018, noting that safety points persevered from 2016 by 2020.

Amazon has beforehand fired staff for inappropriate use of buyer knowledge, telling US Senators in 2020 that not less than 4 staff had been terminated for accessing or trying to entry knowledge that “exceeded what was essential for his or her job capabilities.”

This is not the primary time Ring Doorbells have contended with privateness complaints, both. The corporate confronted scrutiny final 12 months for giving police footage from Ring merchandise with out person consent. In 2020, hackers used illicit entry to Ring cameras to make use of in livestream swattings.

Amazon’s Ring division tells Engadget that its settling the lawsuit to resolve the difficulty and transfer ahead, however notes that it doesn’t agree with the FTC’s claims. “Our focus has been and stays on delivering merchandise and options our clients love, whereas upholding our dedication to guard their privateness and safety,” the corporate’s assertion reads. “Ring promptly addressed these points by itself years in the past, properly earlier than the FTC started its inquiry. Whereas we disagree with the FTC’s allegations and deny violating the regulation, this settlement resolves this matter so we will give attention to innovating on behalf of our clients.” 

The corporate has printed its official response on the Ring web site.