How the Ring Search Party feature works (and how to turn it off, if it’s too creepy)
Popular Science
by David NieldFebruary 23, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Ring's Search Party feature has sparked debate over its potential for both good and harm. Designed to help locate missing pets using AI analysis of Ring camera footage, the feature enlists neighborhood cameras to search for a lost dog based on an image and details provided by the owner. While it has successfully reunified at least one pet per day since its September 2022 launch, critics worry about broader implications for privacy and surveillance. The system uses cloud-stored video clips triggered by motion, not live feeds, but concerns remain about misuse by law enforcement or malicious actors.
Ring claims the feature is opt-in for users, though it’s enabled by default. Owners can disable it through the Ring app under the Search Party settings. Despite these safeguards, privacy advocates argue that the technology could evolve into a tool for mass surveillance, building on existing features like Familiar Faces, which identifies known individuals in video footage. This raises questions about howRing's data might be accessed or exploited in the future.
For those concerned about their role in this network, turning off Search Party is straightforward. Disabling it prevents your camera footage from being used to locate lost pets and stops notifications related to the feature. However, even with Search Party turned off, users can still manually request help finding a lost pet through the app, regardless of whether they have cameras enabled.
The controversy highlights the tension between technological innovation and privacy rights in an increasingly connected world. While Ring touts its benefits for pet owners, critics warn that such systems could set a precedent for broader surveillance practices. For those who value both pet safety and personal privacy, understanding how to control these features is essential. Balancing technology’s potential with ethical considerations will be key as similar tools become more common in homes and communities.
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Originally published on Popular Science on 2/23/2026