"While Ring owners are supposed to have a choice on providing police footage, in some giveaways, police require recipients to turn over footage when requested."

"While Ring owners are supposed to have a choice on providing police footage, in some giveaways, police require recipients to turn over footage when requested." AND "Ring does not support programs that require recipients to subscribe to a recording plan or that footage from Ring devices be shared as a condition for receiving a donated device. We are actively working with partners to ensure this is reflected in their programs." The story should have ended there. But I'll bite on the more IoT fear-mongering. This type of offer is normal. Your power company will ask for API access to your smart thermostat OR put a switch on your house in exchange for turning off your A/C when it's hot. If you're worried about the privacy angle, pay full price for it. Also ring said they're not going to allow it like that. But think about it like this, if you're a restaurant in a mall, and your cameras catch something the cops request that footage all the time. In some cases it's part of a warrant or subpoena when you aren't even part of the investigation. Unless a municipality or police force mandates you install these AND share access to the footage, I don't see the issue.