Amazon Ring Doorbell Lawsuit Settlement Update 2024

Disclaimer

This article about the Amazon Ring Doorbell Lawsuit Settlement is for educational purposes only. The information provided is based on publicly available sources, including FTC reports and news articles. It should not be considered legal advice. For official information, please consult the FTC website or contact a legal professional.

Amazon Ring Doorbell Lawsuit Settlement Update 2024

What’s Going On With Ring?

First things first: Ring is a company that makes doorbell cameras and other security cameras for homes.

Amazon owns Ring now. These cameras let you see who’s at your door, even when you’re not home.

But here’s the thing: some people said Ring wasn’t being careful enough with the videos from these cameras.

They said Ring lets employees watch videos they shouldn’t have seen. That’s a big no-no when it comes to privacy.

The government got involved. Specifically, a group called the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) looked into it.

They decided Ring had done some things wrong and needed to make it right.

Amazon Ring Doorbell Lawsuit Settlement [Source]

After looking into everything, the FTC and Ring agreed. This is called a settlement. Here’s what happened:

• Ring has to pay $5.8 million
• Most of that money ($5.6 million) will go to Ring customers
• Ring also has to delete some videos and make their privacy rules stronger

Now, let’s get into the details about who might get money and how much.

Is There a Claim Form for the Ring Settlement?

Here’s something interesting: for this settlement, you don’t need to fill out a claim form. That’s different from a lot of other settlements. Instead, this is what’s happening:

• The FTC is sending emails to people who qualify
• If you qualify, you’ll get money automatically through PayPal
• You don’t have to do anything to sign up

If you got an email about this, make sure to check your PayPal within 30 days. That’s when you need to accept the payment.

How Much Money Will I Get from the Ring Camera Settlement?

Now for the big question: how much money are we talking about? Well, it depends, but here’s what we know:

• Most people are getting about $48
• Some people might get up to $150
• It depends on how many Ring devices you had

The FTC has a map that shows how much money is going to each state. You can check it out if you’re curious about your area.

Do I Qualify for the Ring Settlement?

You might be wondering if you’re going to get some money. Here’s how to know:

• If you qualify, you should have gotten an email
• The email would be from the FTC
• It’s mostly for people who had Ring devices before 2018

If you bought a Ring camera after 2018, you probably won’t get money. This is because the problems happened before Amazon bought Ring.

How Does the FTC Know Who’s Eligible for a Ring Settlement Refund?

You might be thinking, “How does the FTC know about me and my Ring camera?” Good question! Here’s how it works:

• Ring had to give the FTC a list of customers
• This list included contact info and what people bought
• The FTC uses this to figure out who gets money

So, if you’re eligible, the FTC already knows and will contact you.

How Did We Get Here?

Let’s take a quick look at how all this started:

• In May 2023, the FTC filed a complaint against Ring
• They said Ring wasn’t protecting people’s privacy well enough
• The FTC said Ring let employees and contractors see private videos
• There were also claims that hackers could sometimes take over Ring accounts

The FTC said Ring promised good security but didn’t deliver. They said Ring didn’t tell customers about these problems until January 2018.

One really bad example the FTC talked about was an employee who watched thousands of videos from women’s homes.

This included private areas like bedrooms and bathrooms. Ring didn’t catch this until another employee reported it.

What Happens Next?

Because of all this, Ring has to do a few things:

• Delete certain data and videos they shouldn’t have
• Make their privacy and security program stronger
• Be more careful about who can look at videos

This is all to make sure something like this doesn’t happen again.

Who Do I Contact About the Ring Settlement If I Have More Questions?

If you still have questions, don’t worry! There’s a company handling all this called Rust Consulting, Inc. You can call them at 1-833-637-4884. They can help with things like:

• Getting a check instead of a PayPal payment
• Answering other questions about the refund

The FTC also has a page with answers to common questions. It’s a good place to look if you’re curious about something.

Ring Settlement Questions Answered: What the $5.6M Privacy Refund Means for You [Source]

Now, let’s dig a little deeper into what this all means for Ring users and answer some common questions.

• Why is Ring Sending Out Payments?

We talked about this a bit earlier, but let’s break it down even more:

• The FTC (remember, that’s the government agency) said Ring did some bad things
• They said Ring used people’s videos without asking
• Ring’s contracts were confusing and hid important info
• Some Ring employees could spy on users (yikes!)

Ring had to pay a fine because of this. Now, the FTC is giving most of that money back to the people who were affected.

Ring says they don’t agree with everything the FTC said. But they decided to settle to focus on making better products.

• Do I Qualify for a Refund?

We covered this earlier, but it’s worth saying again:

• You should have gotten an email if you qualify
• It’s mostly for people who bought Ring devices before 2018
• If you bought a Ring camera after 2018, you probably won’t get money

If you’re not sure, check your email. Look for messages from the FTC or about the Ring settlement.

• How Much Are People Getting Paid?

Let’s break down the payment amounts:

• Most people are getting about $50
• Some people might get up to $150
• It depends on how many Ring devices you had

The FTC is trying to split the money equally among everyone affected. That’s why most people are getting around $50.

• When Can I Expect a Ring Security Refund?

If you’re getting money, here’s what to know about timing:

• Payments started on April 23, 2024
• It might take a few weeks for everyone to get paid
• If you have PayPal, you’ll probably get your money faster
• If you’re getting a check, it might take longer

Keep an eye on your email and PayPal account (if you have one) over the next month or so.

• How Are the Refunds Being Sent?

The FTC is using two main ways to send money:

1. PayPal: This is the fastest way. If you have a PayPal account, check it for a payment.
2. Checks: If you don’t have PayPal, you might get a check in the mail.

The FTC uses the info they have about you to figure out how to pay you. They get this info from official sources.

• Wait, Should I Still Be Using Ring Security Devices?

This is a big question for a lot of people. Here’s what you should know:

• The problems that led to this settlement happened over 7 years ago
• The ring has made a lot of changes since then
• Many experts still recommend Ring products

Ring has fixed a lot of the security issues that caused problems before. They’ve added new rules and safety measures. There haven’t been any big problems reported since these changes.

So, if you like your Ring camera, it’s probably okay to keep using it. But it’s always good to be careful with any device connected to the internet.

• Will Ring Share My Video Data with Anyone Else?

Ring has gotten stricter about sharing videos. Here’s what you need to know:

• Ring might share videos in emergencies (like if police need it to save someone)
• They’ve stopped letting police easily ask for videos
• You have more control over your videos now

Ring is trying to be more careful with people’s privacy. They want you to have more say in what happens with your videos.

• Are Other Companies Using My Video Data Without Me Knowing?

It’s a good question to ask. Here’s what you should know:

• Many companies have rules about how they use video data now
• You usually have to permit a company to share your videos
• But companies might still use videos to improve their products

It’s always a good idea to read the privacy policies of any security camera you buy. Look for information about how they use and share videos.

• What If I’m Extra Worried About Home Privacy Now?

If you’re concerned about privacy, there are some things you can do:

• Look for cameras that store videos locally (not on the internet)
• Some brands like Blink, Eufy, Lorex, and TP-Link Kasa offer this
• You can use a USB drive or memory card to save videos
• This way, your videos stay in your home, not on the internet

Remember, no system is perfect. But keeping videos off the internet can give you more control over your privacy.

FAQs:

• Do I need to do anything to get my refund?

No, if you’re eligible, you’ll get an email and the money will be sent automatically.

• How do I know if I’m eligible for a refund?

You should have received an email from the FTC if you’re eligible. It’s mostly for people who had Ring devices before 2018.

• How much money will I get?

Most people are getting about $50, but some might get up to $150.

• When will I get my refund?

Payments started on April 23, 2024, but it might take a few weeks for everyone to get paid.

• Is it safe to keep using my Ring camera?

Ring has made many security improvements since the issues that led to this settlement. Many experts still recommend Ring products.

• What if I’m worried about my privacy with security cameras?

Consider cameras that store videos locally instead of on the internet. Brands like Blink, Eufy, Lorex, and TP-Link Kasa offer this option.

• Who can I contact if I have more questions about the settlement?

You can call Rust Consulting, Inc. at 1-833-637-4884 for more information.

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Conclusion:

Wow, we’ve covered a lot! Let’s wrap up what we’ve learned:

• The ring had some privacy problems a few years ago
• The government made them pay $5.8 million
• Most of that money is going back to Ring customers
• If you qualify, you’ll get about $50 (maybe more)
• Ring has made a lot of changes to be more secure

If you have a Ring camera, you don’t need to panic. The company has fixed a lot of the old problems.

But it’s always good to think about your privacy and be careful with any internet-connected device.

Remember, if you get an email about this settlement, make sure to claim your payment.

And if you’re worried about privacy, consider looking into cameras that keep your videos at home instead of on the internet.

Stay safe out there, and keep an eye on your doorbell… and your privacy!