Ring cancels Flock deal after dystopian Super Bowl ad prompts mass outrage
Ars Technica
by
Ashley Belanger
February 13, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Amazon has terminated its partnership with Flock Safety, which would have granted law enforcement access to a network of Ring cameras. This decision follows intense backlash over a Super Bowl ad that was meant to be heartwarming but instead sparked widespread outrage for its eerie tone. The ad featured a young girl receiving a puppy and highlighted the issue of missing dogs, introducing Ring's new "Search Party" feature to help locate lost pets. However, the ad's unsettling imagery and narrative left many viewers disturbed, prompting criticism that it glorified surveillance.
The partnership between Amazon and Flock Safety was controversial from the start, as it would have allowed law enforcement to access real-time footage from millions of Ring cameras across the U.S. Critics argued that such a collaboration raised serious privacy concerns and could lead to increased surveillance in neighborhoods. The ad's unintended dystopian undertones only amplified these fears, with many viewing it as a promotional tool for facial recognition technology. In response, Senator Edward Markey called for a pause on using Ring cameras for face scans, emphasizing the need for greater oversight.
This situation underscores broader concerns about the ethical use of surveillance technology and its impact on public trust. The backlash against the ad highlights how companies must navigate the fine line between innovation and privacy invasion. For tech enthusiasts, this story serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of corporate responsibility, particularly when it comes to technologies that monitor public spaces. As facial recognition continues to evolve, the debate over its ethical use will likely intensify, shaping the future of surveillance in neighborhoods and beyond.
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Originally published on Ars Technica on 2/13/2026