Ring Inc.

and Law Enforcement: The Cost of Keeping

Neighbourhoods Safe

Artificial Intelligence and Digital Platforms

Instructor: Professor Anuj Kapoor

Academic Associate: Manheer Suwalka

Submitted By: Group-5

Date: 17th June 2022

INDIAN INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT, AHMEDABAD

Q1
Using the 3C framework for determining responsibility, we can note the following points -
Culpability Ring is not intending to cause any harm directly with its
video surveillance projects. Also, it cannot be foretold that
the company’s involvement with police departments will
surely lead to harm of civil rights & privacy.
Complicity Ring is not aware of any violation by the law enforcement
agencies (at least as per the information provided in the
case). But one of the intrusions caused was sanctioned by
the company through its employees in Ukraine.
Capability Ring has the capability to prevent harm by changing its
policies if the law enforcement agencies try alternative
uses of the data that they have.

Thus, Ring Inc. has the responsibility to self-regulate, by having the capability to prevent
harm. Also, since Ring is operating in a nascent industry of safety, its actions would define
people’s trust in that segment in future.
Some policies that can be considered (with respect to law enforcement agencies) are –
Limit control of data Instead of allowing the agencies full control of the
data, the company could establish a policy, in
which after the user’s consent, the data would be
visible to the agencies but will be stored on Ring
Inc. servers and will be deleted after a certain
period of time.
Strict security requirements Ring needs to have stricter security requirements
for the law enforcement agencies and ensure the
presence of a warrant before data requests can be
sent.

Q2
The biggest risk that should be considered is the unavailability of end-to-end encryption in
their technologies. As they deal with private data, stalkers, hackers, and governments can
access the data easily without the knowledge and consent of both Ring Inc. and its customers.
Also, there had been reports that police had tried to work around the limitations of the
Neighbors Portal App. Without end-to-end encryption, it will be easier for the police to
access these data for racial profiling and arrests.

Q3
Corporations do not have the responsibility to provide public safety services. But they have
the right to provide such services. Ring Inc. is providing these services as it suits its own
business needs. Ring is partnering with law enforcement agencies to create a network effect
for its products, i.e., you have a better chance of staying informed if you have a Ring product
than not having one of its products. Also, it creates positive word of mouth in the minds of
safety-concerned citizens.

Q4
Arguments in favour  Technologies like Ring’s have the risk of violating
citizen’s privacy knowingly to satisfy its own business
needs. Examples are the case of intrusion through
employees in Ukraine, and the facial recognition
technology.
 Cyber-attacks can easily be carried out on the
technologies having poor security. Example is Ring
devices without end-to-end encryption. Without
proper regulations, it might not make business sense
for them to implement end-to-end encryption.
Arguments against  Excess regulations in these emerging domains would
hinder innovation and successful deployments.

Hence, the lawmakers should consider regulating emerging technologies like Ring’s.

Q5
Ring has the following benefits –
Network effect Ring is partnering with law enforcement agencies to
create a network effect for its products, i.e., you have
a better chance of staying informed if you have a Ring
product than not having one of its products.
Word of mouth When there is news of burglaries getting stopped, it
creates a positive influence in the minds of the
consumers. As mentioned in the Open Letter, “While
Amazon gives participating departments free products
for promotion, the majority of the products are
privately purchased from Amazon.”
Facial recognition technology If Ring plans to develop a facial recognition software
for its products in future, it would be easier to gain
support from the law enforcement agencies.
Social influence It creates a positive social influence that Ring is
focused on the general public’s safety, rather than
only its customers.