Amazon's Ring to Launch 'Neighbours' Community App in UK Amid US Privacy Concerns
Doorbell camera maker aims to replace WhatsApp and Facebook groups with a platform for local safety alerts and lost-pet posts, even as similar tools have drawn scrutiny over privacy in the United States.
Amazon's doorbell camera subsidiary Ring is preparing to launch its Neighbours community app in the UK, according to the Guardian, in a move aimed at replacing neighbourhood WhatsApp and Facebook groups.
The service is described as a modern equivalent of a community message board, allowing neighbours to post about safety concerns, local matters or lost pets, the report said.
The UK rollout comes at a time when similar Ring products have faced privacy criticism in the United States, where the company's doorbell cameras and associated community features have previously drawn scrutiny over data sharing and surveillance concerns, according to the Guardian.
Details on the exact launch date, specific features of the UK version, and how it will differ from existing offerings in the US were not fully outlined in the available report.
Amazon has not yet issued a separate public statement beyond the information reported by the Guardian regarding the app's launch plans or how it intends to address privacy concerns previously raised about similar Ring products.
Sources
- Amazon to launch Ring ‘neighbourhood watch’ app in UK amid US privacy fears — The Guardian — World
EGazette summarizes reporting from multiple sources; follow the links for the originals.
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