Ring Doorbell New Reality TV Series
Key Points:
- Just when you think it couldn’t get any weirder, this global giant goes and does this.
- U.S. Senator furious a surveillance-state television show is heading into your home.
- The American Civil Liberties Union isn’t laughing, and they want answers.
- Who invited a national audience to ignore your privacy without your consent?
What do you get when you mix MGM studios with comedian Wanda Sykes and Ring doorbell camera’s video surveillance footage? “Ring Nation!” It’s a laugh-a-minute reality tv series with privacy advocates up in arms. It seems as though Amazon is going into show business.
As the world’s largest online retailer, prominent cloud service provider, and parent company of MGM and Ring doorbell, this global giant wants us to laugh, but at what expense to those filmed? In today’s Tech Talk, Luis raises genuine privacy concerns you should know.
Is This Reality TV Show Skirting The Law?
With Ring Nation in production, it also raises many privacy issues. There’s plenty of pushback from the public, civil rights groups, and government officials like U.S. Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass.), a prominent member of the Commerce Committee.
In an article in the Hollywood Reporter titled: Senator Slams Amazon’s ‘Ring Nation’ as Surveillance-State TV, Senator Markey lays it all out.
“Let’s be clear, this is no America’s Funniest Home Videos — Amazon appears to be producing an outright advertisement for its own Ring products and masking it as entertainment.” He adds, “The Ring platform has often made over-policing and over-surveillance a real and pressing problem for America’s neighborhoods, and attempting to normalize these problems is no laughing matter. Amazon must focus instead on making strong safety and accountability commitments to Ring users and ensure that neighbors aren’t robbed of their privacy and civil liberties.” [1]
The ACLU Isn’t Laughing Either!
Civil rights heavy hitter the American Civil Liberties Union also weighed in on the Ring Nation debate. Chad A. Marlow, senior policy counsel with the ACLU, had this to say:
“Sometimes what’s right and ethical doesn’t align with what’s legal,” says Chad. “One person’s funny can be another person’s embarrassing or intrusion of privacy.” He adds, “This device was sold to homeowners for security devices. Now it’s also for a national laugh?” [1]
Is A National Audience Allowed To Ignore Your Privacy?
When Ring doorbell cameras entered the market, finally, homeowners had a video device that brought visual security into their homes. However, now with Amazon’s ownership of the company, they want a bigger audience to see what those cameras capture regardless of who it affects and if it violates their civil rights.
But with over 40 different civil rights organizations protesting and demanding that Amazon and MGM immediately cancel Ring Nation, fearing more harm will come from this show than good. It’s one more reason homeowners and community leaders should seriously consider what side of the debate they’re on.
Where Does Alvarez Technology Group Stand?
Ring doorbell cameras have their place in protecting homeowners. As a smart device, it gives the owner a protective way to see who’s at their front door when they’re not home. Or call the authorities when they see an intruder has entered their dwelling from the recording.
The devices are affordable, easy to install and use, and whatever room they’re in, they provide a clear view of any activity in that space. However, these doorbell cameras also raise serious privacy concerns when used to promote humor to a global community without your consent.
Technology that protects a home, person, group, or business was purchased and installed for protective reasons. Exploiting them beyond the manufacturer’s design only invites more problems for the buyer. Alvarez Technology Group puts our client’s security and safety first. Contact us today to create a security perimeter that keeps criminals away.
