Amazon launched a new artificial intelligence feature, "Familiar Faces," for its Ring video doorbells. The rollout is currently underway across the United States.
The feature is opt-in and uses AI-powered facial recognition. It identifies specific individuals who regularly appear at a user's door. This allows the system to provide personalized alerts, such as "Mom at Front Door," replacing generic notifications.
While Amazon markets the feature as a convenience, it sparked immediate controversy. Privacy advocates raise concerns regarding the expansion of surveillance into personal spaces. The rollout highlights the ongoing debate between smart home convenience and the potential privacy risks associated with collecting and analyzing facial scans.