Ringing in Control: A $10,000 Bounty for Ring Camera Hackers

The recent Super Bowl commercial from Amazon-owned security camera company Ring sparked widespread criticism and a call to action from a group offering a $10,000 bounty to hackers who can disable software features that require the devices to share data with Amazon. In this article, we'll delve into the story behind the bounty and explore the implications of this move for cybersecurity and device ownership.

The controversy surrounding Ring's new feature, Search Party, which uses a network of cameras to scour neighborhoods for lost dogs, has left many feeling uneasy about the potential misuse of this technology. As revealed by a leaked internal Ring email reported by 404 Media, Search Party could eventually be used to find other animals and people as well, raising concerns about neighborhood surveillance and data sharing with Amazon.

In response to the backlash, the Fulu Foundation, a nonprofit organization that pays out bounties for removing user-hostile features on connected devices, has launched a new initiative targeting Ring's video doorbell cameras. The group aims to encourage hackers and tinkerers to disable software features that require the devices to send data to Amazon, giving users more control over their device usage.

The bounty is part of Fulu's efforts to promote cybersecurity awareness and empower individuals to take back control of their devices. According to Kevin O'Reilly, co-founder of Fulu, "Control shouldn't require a trade-off of all the features that you like... You shouldn't have to sacrifice the smart capabilities of your device if you don't want to."

To score the bounty, winners must adhere to specific requirements, including:

* Modifying the hardware to work with a local PC or server * Halting data sent to Amazon servers or requiring a connection to other Amazon hardware * Disabling on-device hardware features like motion detecting and color night vision * Completing the modifications using "readily available and inexpensive tooling" and instructions that a moderately technical user can follow in under an hour.

The first person to accomplish these requirements with a Ring camera will receive the initial $10,000 reward, which is expected to grow as donors contribute more money. Fulu will also award up to an additional $10,000 to match donations for the winner.

It's worth noting that while hackers are encouraged to participate in this bounty program, they won't be required to release their findings publicly due to concerns about legal repercussions under Section 1201 of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act.

As the debate surrounding Ring's data collection practices and neighborhood surveillance continues, this bounty offers a unique opportunity for individuals to take action and assert control over their device usage. By promoting cybersecurity awareness and empowering users to modify their devices, Fulu is helping to create a more secure and user-centric ecosystem.

Ultimately, this bounty serves as a reminder that in the age of smart devices and data-driven technologies, users must be mindful of the trade-offs they make when installing security features like Ring cameras. As Kevin O'Reilly emphasizes, "Control shouldn't require a trade-off of all the features that you like... You shouldn't have to sacrifice the smart capabilities of your device if you don't want to."

By taking back control of their devices and pushing for greater transparency and accountability in data collection practices, individuals can help shape a more secure and equitable cybersecurity landscape.

**Keyword-rich summary:**

Ring camera hack $10,000 bounty Fulu Foundation Cybersecurity awareness Device ownership Data sharing Amazon Search Party Neighborhood surveillance