Ring is starting to add support for end-to-end encryption to its cameras. The feature will keep encrypted video streams from the camera to the device to which it is being transmitted, so that it is not accessible to anyone in between. The feature, which was first announced in September, will begin launching today as a “technical preview” on eight Ring cameras, including doorbell, indoor and outdoor models.
“End-to-end encryption really depends on the user’s choice to create that advanced layer of security,” said Josh Roth, technical director at Ring. The Verge. “Some people like a second or third lock on their home.”
Images from Ring’s cameras are currently encrypted when they are being transmitted to Ring’s servers and again when they are stopped on Ring’s servers. But Ring still needs to be able to access that footage to enable various features, such as sharing videos through its website or streaming clips to any device you’re connected to. Ring says he does not view customer videos without permission, but the company has the technical capacity to do so (and has been accused of doing so without permission in the past). If the police receive a search and seizure warrant for your footage, Ring will be able to deliver it too.
End-to-end encryption removes any visibility that the Ring has in your footage, offering more protection for privacy-conscious users. But the feature comes with some disadvantages that add obstacles and limitations to the way the cameras can be used. Some devices, such as the Echo Show, will not be able to display ring video feeds because they cannot (currently, at least) be configured to support end-to-end encrypted streams. Other features, such as video sharing, become more complicated because you will have to download and re-upload videos manually, instead of just changing the sharing settings on the Ring website.
The feature also adds some friction to the Ring’s Neighbors application, which allows Ring users to share videos with people nearby and for local authorities to request access to the footage. With end-to-end encryption enabled, camera owners can still share videos with the Neighbors app – which has been criticized for containing racist comments and reports – but they will have to manually download and upload the footage, adding a few steps before they can post a recording.
At launch, end-to-end encryption will be available on power-connected Ring cameras. These cameras are capable of processing computer vision features, such as person detection, locally on the device, while battery powered Ring cameras transfer these features to the cloud – something that cannot be done with end-to-end encryption enabled. No subscription is required to use it, but initially it will only be available in the USA. End-to-end encrypted videos can be streamed to recent phones and tablets with the Ring app installed.
Over time, Ring plans to expand access for everyone and add some additional missing features, such as snapshots. End-to-end encryption will not be enabled by default, but Roth said that Ring will notify customers when it becomes available. It can also be turned on and off camera by camera.
“End-to-end is one of the features that some users will love,” said Roth, “and some will say they don’t need it.”
Correction January 13, 11:34 am ET: The technical preview will be available on eight Ring cameras, not nine as Ring initially told us.