Ring Video Doorbells to Gain End-to-End Encryption, But Still No Sign of HomeKit Support

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Amazon is rolling out end-to-end encryption for video captured by Ring doorbells, after a successful trial in the United States (via BBC News).

new ring
Amazon's worldwide adoption of the encryption standard for Ring will mean that video footage from the doorbell cameras is stored on Amazon's servers, but the content won't be accessible to the company and only the user's device on which the video is received will be able to view the files.

Other new security features also set to be added to Ring doorbells include the ability to use two-factor authenticator apps and Captcha images. Amazon bought the US-based firm Ring for around $1 billion in 2018.

Apple offers a similar service for HomeKit-enabled third-party cameras called HomeKit Secure Video, which leverages iCloud to securely stream and store video clips from compatible indoor and outdoor cameras and doorbells, with end-to-end encryption.

HomeKit Secure Video cameras and doorbells are managed through the Home app like other HomeKit accessories. However, despite assurances given in 2018 Amazon's Ring Video Doorbell still does not support Apple ‌HomeKit‌, and there is no indication that it plans to do so in the near future.

For people looking for alternatives, Apple in December began selling Logitech's Circle View Wired Doorbell ($200), one of the first video doorbells with support for ‌HomeKit Secure Video‌.

Starting with iOS 15 and iPadOS 15, which will be publicly released in September, security cameras and video doorbells that support ‌HomeKit Secure Video‌ will detect and notify you when a package has been delivered.

Tag: Ring

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Top Rated Comments

NightFox Avatar
NightFox
46 months ago

I don't know why anyone would use a 'security service' like this. A presentation at DEFCON proved that these types of systems are worthless, as it is so easy to jam the wireless bandwidth they depend on. Just say no? SimpliSafe was proven especially susceptible to that form of attack. Encrypted or not, if the signals don't get out, there is nothing to trigger the system, and report an incident.

EDIT: PLUS DEFCON has shown glaring flaws in many security systems, including faking video on connected cameras for one brand. You could be looking at a recorded video, as people are carrying your stuff out the door.
A video doorbell isn't intended to secure your home against a sophisticated multi-layered attack. It's meant to let you see who's ringing the bell, see if your Amazon delivery has turned up and capture footage of some low-life looking for an easy way into your house to finance his habit.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
zombierunner Avatar
zombierunner
46 months ago
Yes it will be encrypted so only Ring/Amazon staff can see your videos.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
canyonblue737 Avatar
canyonblue737
46 months ago
HomeKit is not coming. It's become a meme and a joke among Ring users like myself after being promised for 4+ years.

At this point the reasons are one of the following:

1. Amazon is simply trolling Apple and its customers.
2. Because it was promised they want to avoid lawsuits when they admit it is NOT coming. Newer Ring products don't promise HomeKit in the future, so perhaps "legally" as long as they say HomeKit is coming someday for the older products they never have to actually deliver as they never promised "when." Eventually those products will long since be end of life and hopefully for Amazon and Ring... forgotten.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
NightFox Avatar
NightFox
46 months ago
I gave up any hopes for HomeKit support as soon as Amazon bought Ring, despite their previous commitments. I can get a degree of unofficial compatibility via HomeBridge plugins, but no HomeKit Secure Video. Ultimately I can't see any reason why Amazon/Ring would throw away their subscription income by offering HSV support.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jk1221 Avatar
jk1221
46 months ago

How many door bell support HSV now? I’m keeping Logitech’s in my cart but it would be nice to see something new.
None that I can think of.

My biggest gripe with Homekt. It's been out for years and there is still slim pickings for hardware in many categories- in many 1 or 2 vendors so they control the pricing really without competition.

Especially for cameras when you get into HKSV due to the certification needed from Apple and restrictions on hardware.

And when it does come out it is often much more expensive than the alternatives since Apple wants their licensing fee for certification; which is also tough hardware-wise and not all hardware supports all Homekit features (versus there own app) which makes it even weirder.

Homekit really has been a bust IMO, minor one since there is some stuff out there, but still a bit of a bust. Maybe Matter will change that, it is hard to say. I doubt Apple will play nice with HKSV unless certified by them though.

Anything I buy at this point cannot be Homekit only, just in case. I don't want to be locked in.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
QuarterSwede Avatar
QuarterSwede
46 months ago

Can anyone explain what prevents someone from stealing your 200$ doorbell?
Other than a security screw, nothing. They will replace it for free if some one does though so it’s not really an issue.

https://ring.com/warranty

If your Ring camera or doorbell product is stolen at any time after your purchase, Ring will replace the stolen device at no charge to you.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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