I spent a lot of time talking about the latest features of the ring, including cutting-edge uses of AI and capabilities including facial recognition, which led to lawsuits from some concerned about their privacy. But behind the scenes, Ring has been busy building a substantial platform of third-party AI apps to power its security cameras and video doorbells, with capabilities that go far beyond those of traditional security cameras. That could present an opportunity or a potential privacy issue, so I took a closer look.
Basically, this software uses the Ring’s object detection capability to use it for a wider range of monitoring possibilities. I’ll try a few of these apps to see how they work, but if you or people in your neighborhood use Ring devices, you should know what they’re capable of. These mini apps range from casual fun to Flock-like monitoring levels. Most require a Ring subscription and an additional monthly fee, typically a few dollars. Here are popular examples of these apps, how they work, if they’re legal and what they might do in your neighborhood.
Watch out for trash and trash
For those annoyed by illegal dumping or other waste violations, the DumpWatch app promises to watch for dumpsters with Ring’s AI for about $8 a month. The app records footage when it detects large amounts of litter left in the camera’s field of view and creates a time-stamped PDF that can be used to file a complaint or file a police report.
Note that some examples that DumpWatch uses show trash cans on the curb, a common occurrence on collection days, or extra trash placed next to bins, which is allowed by local waste companies. It is not guaranteed to capture only illegal activities.
Check lawns, shrubs and playgrounds for HOA violations
Yes, these little apps can also serve as tools for homeowner associations if your neighborhood has strict rules about what’s allowed. An example is the $3 per month LawnWatch app, which is trained to monitor properties for HOA violations, such as leaving toys on a lawn, dog owners not cleaning their bellies and so on. A slightly more benign app, Greenlapse, tracks grass and plant growth over time, and is primarily designed to monitor your own landscaping projects.
This is an application about which I have legal doubts. If a nosy neighbor tries to detect HOA violations in other people’s yards, not just their own, that probably violates privacy laws and could land them in legal trouble. I’d say it’s safer to use it on your own property to proactively avoid complaints – and avoid any “Karen” accusations.
Monitoring tenant guests and tenants
Ring’s app store includes a host of monitoring apps designed specifically to track tenants and short-term rental guests, gathering information for landlords to use. One example is the $5-per-month ZoneGauge app, which continuously tracks how many people are in a room, and lets the owners know when someone is having a party, for example.
Another option is the GuardCat app. It’s $8 per month and it summarizes guest check-outs, clean visits, “house rule violations” and more based on what Ring security cameras record using AI detection.
A quick reminder here: Companies like Airbnb have banned indoor security cameras entirely. Apps like this should not be used indoors at all.
Analysis of animal health and animals
Using AI to monitor pets for unusual behaviors that may signal health problems is nothing new. We’ve reviewed quite a few pet cameras and smart tracking collars that do something similar. But apps like Pet Vet AI can use Ringcams as an alternative for $10 a month. Here, the app analyzes pet snapshots for issues like humps, throwing up food, sleeping in unusual spots and more, then summarizes any problems for pet owners. The app says it also works with birds, reptiles and fish, but I’ve never seen pet AI advanced enough to get a valuable analysis of the non-mammals in our homes.
On the bright side, the YardWild app uses the Ring’s night vision capabilities to identify animals entering your property. It deliberately ignores birds and people to protect privacy and reduce unnecessary alarms.
See how workers sign up and how they behave
Ring’s mini apps extend beyond the home and into many aspects of the workplace. Apps like ProofClock and TimeStack are designed for construction, freight and similar industries to monitor when teams arrive at a location and how long they work, even if the ring camera owner is not present. Some of these apps can also generate uptime and service level agreement reports, although I’m dubious about binding Ring AI, which isn’t always reliable, so close to pay.
Identification of birds
We have tested many bird feeder cameras that identify bird species with varying degrees of success. But if you want to point a ring camera at a feeder or bird bath, an app like What’s That Bird.AI can do something similar for $5 a month. It captures screenshots of nearby birds and tries to identify them so you can see which species are hanging out.
There is a small problem here: Feeders from Birdbuddy and similar brands give you bird detection for free, so if you don’t mind buying a special bird watching camera, there is no need to pay a subscription.
Do these apps work with any Ring device?
No. Each app has its own requirements, indicated on their download pages. Some will work with almost any Ring device that uses a camera. Others require a wired Ring device or a more recent Ring camera from the last year or so, or both.
Do these apps collect personal data about users?
One thing I like about Ring’s App Store is its “App Privacy” section, which lists the types of information each app collects. That can include motion events, your email address, access to your Ring camera’s live view and more. Developers can also specify whether to use the data to train AI models.
Are these apps legal to use?
In general, yes, because they are made to be used on private property and in places where there is little expectation of privacy. These AI features can detect strangers, but I haven’t seen any that use facial recognition or other technology that violates privacy laws.
Remember that tools like these are not perfect and should not be the only basis for filing a complaint or taking other action. They’re also expensive for what they do – like paying $5 a month just to tell you when your mail has arrived – so I don’t think it’s worth the cost to the average user. An exception may be pet AI, which could replace more expensive pet camera services. Either way, it’s important to know your options—and what apps your neighbors might be using.
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