FTC Distributes $5.6 Million in Refunds to Ring Customers from Privacy Settlement
Ring, a smart home security company owned by Amazon, settled with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in 2023 over privacy violations. As part of the settlement, Ring paid a $5.6 million fine to the FTC, which is now being refunded to affected customers.
The FTC alleged that Ring failed to safeguard video footage from its doorbell cameras and indoor security cams, allowing employees and contractors to access customers' private videos without consent. Additionally, Ring neglected to implement basic security practices, enabling hackers to breach customer accounts and gain control over cameras and videos between 2016 and 2020.
Under the settlement, Ring agreed to delete unlawfully obtained video content and implement stronger security measures.
This week, the FTC announced the distribution of over 117,000 PayPal payments to eligible Ring owners who had devices during the timeframe of unauthorized access. Customers have 30 days to