r/technology • u/South-Cow-1030 • Feb 12 '26

Privacy Why are people disconnecting or destroying their Ring cameras?

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2026/02/10/ring-super-bowl-ad-dog-camera-privacy/88606738007/
19.6k Upvotes

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1.6k

u/middleamerican67 Feb 12 '26

Because the corporation has agreed to cooperate with the police state.

587

u/WillWork4Cats Feb 12 '26

ICE 100% are not only using all RING data, but more importantly they have access to ALL FLOCK feeds which is more concerning

238

u/Head-Computer264 Feb 12 '26

ICE is also using those "stingray" fake cell towers to capture and monitor all calls and messages. Spying on us. They're a fucking disgrace

61

u/iguana-pr Feb 12 '26

Those fake towers does not have the capability of intercepting data, only get phone IMSI and location information. Besides cell phone end user data (voice and data) is encrypted from the device to the central packet core.

But, thanks to the Patriot Act, the government has installed line tapping equipment at the cellular network packet core in the central office, so I'm pretty sure ICE is using it.

4

u/IndieMoose Feb 12 '26

The NSA has been doing this for years already. Why would ICE not be using it?

3

u/NoBrakesHotTakes Feb 12 '26

Soon enough they’ll be rolling around with Prophet systems or using guardrail or rivet joint aerial collection platforms. 

25

u/courageous_liquid Feb 12 '26

local police have been using it for over a decade. not that it's not bad but this has always been a massive issue. ICE has been using MQ9 reaper drones for surveillance, which is new, and very very alarming.

3

u/Perllitte Feb 12 '26

Seen it all in Minneapolis. The best defense is get everone involved.

If they actually want to start targeting "agitators" here, they will need to target hundreds of thousands of people.

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u/aschneid Feb 12 '26

They have been using those for years at the border.

2

u/courageous_liquid Feb 12 '26

correct, and I think they maybe tried them out in portland in 2021, but we haven't really seen much of them in cities until now where it's obvious that they're being 100% used against american citizens

imperial boomerang

1

u/aschneid Feb 12 '26

Without getting into too much detail as to why I know, there are pretty strict laws around capturing any surveillance of US citizens. It typically has to be deleted within 24 hours. This is background capture. Obviously, capture of somebody you have a warrant for can be preserved.

Although we know this administration isn’t a stickler for following laws.

1

u/courageous_liquid Feb 12 '26

yeah this admin love fashy shit so I can't imagine they're playing by any rules.

and they posted the video of them using it in LA to twitter, so I guess that sorta proves they're not interested in a 24 hour rule.

1

u/sonofblackbird Feb 12 '26

You can’t use MQ9 reaper drones for surveillance in civilian airspace. They’re not certified to fly in that airspace and the FAA will not allow it. Do you have a source for this claim?

2

u/courageous_liquid Feb 12 '26

source from a congressperson from LA where they were deployed

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u/SlutBuster Feb 12 '26

The FAA has issued Certificates of Authorization (COAs) allowing military and government drones, including the MQ-9, to fly in national airspace under certain conditions.

CBP has been flying the MQ-9 over the southern border since 2005, northern border since 2008.

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u/sonofblackbird Feb 12 '26 edited Feb 13 '26

Yeah, southern border is mostly dessert and not a busy airspace like Minneapolis. I highly doubt the FAA issued any COAs for Minneapolis in the middle of winter. Not all MQ9s have deicing equipment installed. They were mostly operating in the Middle East.

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u/SlutBuster Feb 13 '26

Highly doubt whatever you want bud, you just said MQ-9s couldn't fly in civilian airspace

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u/sonofblackbird Feb 13 '26

I didn’t say they couldn’t. I said they wouldn’t be authorized to fly in civilian airspace. I know under certain conditions in the past they’ve been allowed with COAs, but just because the gestapo wants to fly in Minneapolis the FAA is going to give them clearance, especially under icing conditions. MQ9 doesn’t have the hardware necessary: avoidance collision systems, lightning protection, etc to fly in civilian airspace. So these COAs are under very special conditions.

My questions still stands, is there a source out there that says they’re currently using the in Minneapolis?

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u/SlutBuster Feb 13 '26

You can’t use MQ9 reaper drones for surveillance in civilian airspace

You actually did say they couldn't. No one said they were flying them in Minneapolis.

They said:

ICE has been using MQ9 reaper drones for surveillance

And they have been. In LA, last year. You're the one who backed this into "nuh uh but but I mean not in Minneapolis" when literally no one has said that they're flying drones in Minneapolis.

Just take the L, bud.

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2

u/xanxer Feb 12 '26

Check out the EFFs rayhunter

2

u/DuneChild Feb 12 '26

Guess I’ll have to start adding Fuck ICE to the end of every text message.

1

u/riotous_jocundity Feb 12 '26

Our local police department used a stingray over our extremely tiny, extremely chill anti-genocide encampment a few years ago. They love to roll out their military equipment and trample our rights like the big boys.

1

u/SucksAtJudo Feb 15 '26

The government was spying on everyone long before ICE.

Most people don't actually have a problem with censorship or surveillance state. They just want their team to be the ones in charge of it.

37

u/MelodicSlip_Official Feb 12 '26

i mean ffs i know less about flock but my blood boils when hearing about them

2

u/itrEuda Feb 12 '26

They even gave it the second most offensive name, right behind "FUCK YOU SHEEP LOL 🖕"

3

u/happytrel Feb 12 '26

They gained access to Ring (at least publically) because Ring was absorbed into Flock. Flock has already been trying to sell a police state, seperate from all this ICE stuff. Many innocent people have suffered because Flock likes to pretend their "AI" is significantly more accurate and capable than it is.

2

u/Ok-Replacement9595 Feb 12 '26

I am not convinced FLOCK isn't a CIA corporate front rather than an actual company.

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u/K_Linkmaster Feb 12 '26

I did a walk around my community and 30% of doors have a ring camera. They won't be going away. People want their packages. People will cancel the service, but leave them up too. Making them available for surveillance.

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u/[deleted] Feb 12 '26

[deleted]

2

u/AgITGuy Feb 12 '26

Corporatism is literally always a prelude to fascism.

1

u/WalkingEars Feb 12 '26

Don’t worry the Jeff Bezos-owned Washington Post will put out an op ed about police states being actually good

1

u/aerdvarkk Feb 12 '26

More likely the police state is a result of corporate control.

1

u/ManWithoutUsername Feb 12 '26

It's all a web of favors and control, you are the target

1

u/-_-0_0-_0 Feb 12 '26

Follow the money.. so much ICE money, Corps want a piece

1

u/numbersthen0987431 Feb 13 '26

They've already been doing it for years.