Shawn KingJul 9, 2023

"Why We Don’t Recommend Ring Cameras"

"...products that can be dangerous to you, or to society in general, which we believe to be the case with Amazon-owned Ring and its relationship with law enforcement."

When I was a delivery guy, I was amazed/appalled at all the Ring cameras I saw on my route. :(

I don't know if RIng has the same relationship with law enforcement here in Canada but its ties to them in the USA frightens me.

https://www.wired.com/story/why-we-do-not-recommend-ring/

Why We Don’t Recommend Ring Cameras

They’re affordable and ubiquitous, but homeowners shouldn’t be able to act as vigilantes.

WIRED
Show threadDiane PattersonJul 9, 2023

@KingShawn When we got a video doorbell, we told the company, “We don’t want Ring or Nest.”

Guess what their first recs were? 🤬

Show threadShawn King

@Dianepatterson Yup - and likely because they were given discounts or perks for selling Rings. 🤬

I've got no reason for a Ring-like camera (I got nothing to steal) but even if I did, you couldn't give me a free Ring camera.

Although...now that I think about it, I have a new (to me) car parked outside...maybe I *do* want a security camera…😳

Hey @bill0004 What do you recommend!?

Jul 9, 2023 at 6:15pmMona for Mac
Show threadBill0004Jul 9, 2023
@KingShawn @Dianepatterson the Dinger *pause for 13 year old boy giggling* by ICRealtime. It’s what we sell for basic doorbell cameras, and I have one at my own house. The newer one is the Dinger Pro. Exellent product, decent app, not owned by a data mining outfit. :-)
Show threadShawn KingJul 9, 2023

@bill0004 @Dianepatterson The Dinger is a “Discontinued Item.” :(

It doesn’t look like they sell to Normals like me. When I try to find a local dealer, I get sent to a page that says, “Fill out this form and we will get you in contact with someone to assist you.” 😳

Show threadBill0004Jul 9, 2023
@KingShawn @Dianepatterson herein lies a big issue with ‘smart home’ products. The items you can buy on your own usually have huge caveats. The items worth spending money on require purchasing from a professional company. I don’t defend this breakdown, it’s just a reality.
Show threadShawn KingJul 9, 2023
@bill0004 I’ll probably buy the $40 WYZE Cam. Any issues with those you know of?
Show threadBill0004Jul 9, 2023
@KingShawn never heard of it. So ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Show threadBill0004Jul 9, 2023
@KingShawn oh it’s fully wireless so you have to take it down to recharge it. Hard pass (for me)
Show threadShawn KingJul 9, 2023
@bill0004 The one I was looking at said, “This camera does not have a battery they are wired using USB power.” But that’s almost as bad. There’s no way for me to connect it to USB power from the location it would be in. Sigh…
Show threadBill0004Jul 9, 2023
@KingShawn yep. A camera has to be hardwired in some way, else you’re taking it down and putting it back up for charging. That’s just not an experience I want to deal with.
Show threadBill0004Jul 9, 2023
@KingShawn quick research tells me they’ve been sued twice, they’ve had data breaches of customer information, and the hardware is Chinese OEM so the chances it can be spied on is quite high.
Show threadShawn KingJul 9, 2023
@bill0004 Well…that answers that question…NEXT! :)