Ring's new encryption restricts police access to video footage
Ring is rolling out a new encryption method called TAKE that limits when Amazon's cloud can access video footage, while still enabling features like smart alerts and AI search. The system becomes the default for all Ring cameras starting in September, regardless of subscription status. According to Ring, this changes what the company can provide to law enforcement, offering only non-video information and encrypted files in response to requests.
Ring’s TAKE system rotates encryption keys every five minutes of footage, discarding each copy within a day. This means Amazon’s cloud can only decrypt video for a limited window, tied to user-enabled features like smart alerts or AI search. The approach uses the Messaging Layer Security standard, differing from full end-to-end encryption, which blocks all cloud processing. Newer on-device encrypting cameras support both options, while older models rely solely on TAKE. The rollout begins in September for all customers, subscription or not, and follows internal firings over employee video access abuses.
This shift may reduce the ease with which law enforcement obtains usable footage from Ring, potentially altering police investigation practices that have relied on video requests. Homeowners could gain more control over their data, but cloud-based features still require temporary decryption, so privacy gains are partial. The change might also influence consumer trust in smart-home security, though its real-world effect depends on how strictly Ring enforces key disposal and whether users understand the remaining trade-offs.