Ring Ends Deal to Link Neighborhood Cameras After Backlash to Super Bowl Ad

NYT Homepage

by Mark Walker

February 14, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

Ring has terminated its partnership with Flock Safety following backlash over a Super Bowl ad that showcased a lost dog reunited with his family through interconnected neighborhood cameras. The commercial highlighted Ring's "Search Party" feature, which uses footage from local cameras to track missing pets or individuals. However, critics raised concerns about the potential privacy risks associated with such technology, leading Ring to distance itself from Flock Safety. The ad generated controversy by depicting how data from Ring doorbell cameras could be used to trace a lost dog across neighborhoods. This integration was part of a planned collaboration between Ring and Flock Safety, which specializes in surveillance systems for law enforcement. The partnership aimed to create a "Community Requests" feature that would allow homeowners to share footage with local police during investigations. However, the backlash over privacy concerns led Ring to end the collaboration. Ring emphasized its commitment to privacy protections in a statement, stating it remains focused on building tools that empower neighbors while maintaining transparency about how its features operate. The decision underscores growing public scrutiny of surveillance technology and its potential misuse. Critics argue that while such innovations can aid communities, they also raise ethical questions about data collection and misuse. This development is significant for readers interested in the intersection of technology, privacy, and community safety. It highlights the challenges companies face in balancing innovation with public concerns over surveillance. As Ring navigates this complex landscape, its decisions will likely continue to spark debates about the role of technology in modern neighborhoods.

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Originally published on NYT Homepage on 2/14/2026