Ring kills Flock partnership amid surveillance scrutiny
The Register
February 13, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Ring has terminated its partnership with Flock Safety due to resource constraints, just months after announcing their collaboration. The companies had planned to integrate Ring's Community Requests feature, but Ring stated that the project would require more time and resources than anticipated. While no direct link was drawn between the cancellation and recent backlash over Ring's Super Bowl ad, the timing raises questions about the company's focus on privacy concerns and public perception.
The Super Bowl ad highlighted Ring's AI-powered Search Party feature, which uses neighborhood cameras to locate lost pets. However, many viewers criticized the technology for its potential misuse, describing it as "dystopian." This comes amid growing scrutiny of surveillance technologies, particularly Flock Safety's products, including gunshot detectors and license plate readers. These tools have been widely used by U.S. police forces but have faced criticism from privacy advocates like the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) for their ties to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). While Flock has denied direct partnerships with ICE, reports suggest that ICE agents access Flock-captured footage through police departments.
In response to these concerns, Ring emphasized that no customer footage was shared with Flock during the partnership. The company stated that it prioritizes community safety and responsibility, aligning its actions with customer trust. Flock also acknowledged the importance of accountability and transparency, stating that their decision to cancel the integration was influenced by consultations with customers, public officials, and communities.
This move underscores the growing tension between innovation in surveillance technology and ethical concerns over privacy and misuse. As tech companies face increasing scrutiny over their products' impact on civil liberties, Ring's decision highlights the importance of balancing security with community trust. The incident also reflects a broader shift in the tech industry toward more responsible growth, particularly in areas involving law enforcement and data usage.
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Originally published on The Register on 2/13/2026