Amazon-owned Ring has officially canceled its planned integration with Flock Safety, a controversial police surveillance technology company, following widespread public criticism that intensified after its Super Bowl ad aired on February 8, 2026.
In a blog post published on February 12, 2026, Ring stated:
“Following a comprehensive review, we determined the planned Flock Safety integration would require significantly more time and resources than anticipated. As a result, we have made the joint decision to cancel the planned integration. The integration never launched, so no Ring customer videos were ever sent to Flock Safety.”
Flock Safety also confirmed the cancellation in its own statement, saying the decision was mutual and that “no Ring customer videos were ever sent to Flock.”
Background of the Partnership
The partnership was first announced in October 2025. It aimed to integrate Flock Safety’s license plate recognition cameras with Ring’s “Community Requests” feature, a tool that allows law enforcement to request video footage from Ring users in specific areas. Critics argued this would create a more seamless and automated surveillance network between private doorbell cameras and police departments.
The announcement triggered immediate backlash from privacy advocates, civil rights groups, and users concerned about expanded government surveillance, especially given Flock Safety’s widespread use by police for tracking vehicles in neighborhoods.
What Sparked the Final Backlash
The tipping point came after Ring aired a Super Bowl commercial promoting its new “Search Party” feature, an AI-powered tool designed to help find lost pets using nearby Ring cameras. Many viewers interpreted the ad as promoting a broader neighborhood surveillance network, reigniting concerns about the Flock partnership.
The ad, combined with the already controversial Flock integration, led to a sharp public outcry on social media and in the press.
Current Status
- The planned integration never went live.
- No Ring customer footage was ever shared with Flock Safety.
- Ring says it will continue working with its existing law enforcement partners.
This marks a significant reversal for Ring, which has faced repeated criticism over its close ties to police departments since 2018. The company had previously ended its practice of giving police direct access to user footage without warrants in 2024, but the Flock partnership was seen by many as a backdoor attempt to restore that level of cooperation.
The cancellation is being viewed as a win for privacy advocates, though many remain skeptical that Ring’s relationship with law enforcement has truly changed.
