As of this morning, an end-to-end (E2E) data encryption option is available for Ring’s flagship, battery-powered cameras such as the Ring 4 and Ring Video doorbells. Although Ring already encrypts user recordings when they upload to cloud servers, E2E provides a much more targeted security option, since only the device’s owner will be able to access footage on a single device using a password phrase. “We believe we should offer a full range of privacy options to as many customers as possible. And we know that different devices make sense for different living situations,” Ring officials wrote in a blog post published today. Although Ring first announced E2E encryption previews in January 2021, it only then applied to its pricier hardwired and plug-in options like Ring Pro 2 and Ring Elite. Now, the update extends to every Ring device except for its cheapest model, the Ring Video Doorbell Wired. Turning on E2E for your Ring devices comes with a few caveats, however. Doing so blocks a number of system features, including Event Timeline and device notification video previews, video sharing with other users, and integration with third-party apps. None of these are critical to Ring products’ efficacy, and could be pretty fair trades for the supposed ability to keep your home’s data restricted to just… you know, your home.
