Amazon Faces Class Action Seeking Over $5 Million Over Ring Facial Scans of Millions
Updated
Updated · Ars Technica · Jun 2
Amazon Faces Class Action Seeking Over $5 Million Over Ring Facial Scans of Millions
3 articles · Updated · Ars Technica · Jun 2
Summary
Charles Sigwalt filed the proposed nationwide class action in federal court in Washington, alleging Ring’s Familiar Faces feature scanned, retained and used facial-recognition data from millions of Americans without consent.
More than $5 million is sought in damages, with the complaint saying total exposure is far higher once statutory damages and the lost value of biometric information are counted across the class.
Ring says Familiar Faces is off by default, but the suit argues the feature scans all guests and passersby, creates a numeric “face print,” and lets cameras re-identify people each time they appear.
The feature, rolled out late last year, lets users build a directory of up to 50 familiar faces; the case also proposes a Virginia subclass because the named plaintiff lives there.
The lawsuit adds to scrutiny of Ring’s privacy practices after criticism from digital-rights groups and Amazon’s 2023 FTC settlement over separate allegations.
As rivals offer privacy-focused local storage, is Ring’s cloud-based facial recognition model becoming a liability?
Your face was scanned by a Ring doorbell. Who is legally at fault: the homeowner or Amazon?
Ring's own policy bans identifying strangers. Is its 'Familiar Faces' feature illegal by its own standards?
Amazon Ring Faces $5 Million Class Action Over Unconsented Facial Recognition: A Defining Moment for U.S. Biometric Privacy Laws
Overview
Amazon's Ring is facing a major legal challenge over its 'Familiar Faces' facial recognition feature, after a class-action lawsuit was filed by a Virginia resident in Seattle federal court. The lawsuit claims that Ring's system identifies and remembers frequent visitors, but also illegally collects and stores biometric data from anyone passing by, including neighbors and delivery workers, without their consent. This practice raises serious privacy concerns, as millions of people may have their facial data captured unknowingly. The case highlights the growing debate over unconsented biometric data collection and the urgent need for stronger privacy protections.