TL;DR: In the Ring app, open your camera's Device settings, then Privacy settings, to add up to two Privacy Zones that black out areas such as a neighbour's window or the street. The blacked-out area is permanent in those recordings. You can also switch off audio recording there, turn on end-to-end encryption in Control Center (which disables many features), and review Search Party and police Community Requests, which have drawn privacy criticism.
Why Ring privacy settings matter
A doorbell camera records more than your doorstep: the pavement, the street, your neighbours' front doors and anyone who walks past. That raises privacy and sometimes legal questions, especially if your camera captures neighbours' property or conversations. It also means your own family's comings and goings are stored in the cloud. Our general guide to securing a smart doorbell or camera covers passwords and updates; this one focuses on Ring's privacy controls.
Set up Privacy Zones
From Ring's privacy features help page:
- In the Ring app, open the menu and choose Devices.
- Select the camera, open Device settings, then Privacy settings.
- Tap Add Privacy Zones, tap the plus icon, resize the box over the area you want hidden and tap Done.
Things to know:
- Each supported device can have up to two Privacy Zones. Some older models, including the Video Doorbell (1st Gen), don't support them.
- The blocked area becomes a permanent part of the recording; you can't remove it from past videos later.
- Motion behind a zone can still trigger alerts, so adjust Motion Zones too.
- If the camera is knocked or moved, the zone may no longer cover the right area.
Turn off audio recording
In the same Privacy settings, switch off Audio Streaming and Recording. Recording conversations of passers-by can raise legal issues in some places, and you rarely need it for a doorbell.
Consider end-to-end encryption
Ring offers video end-to-end encryption in the app's Control Center, which means only your enrolled phone can view recordings. Ring's encryption help page lists the trade-off: many features stop working, including shared users, sharing video links, viewing on Echo Show and Fire TV, rich notifications, person detection and Familiar Faces. Ring has also moved from its legacy version to a newer one, so check Control Center for what your devices support.
Search Party, Familiar Faces and police requests
Ring has added features that use many cameras together:
- Search Party uses nearby Ring cameras to help find lost dogs. TechRadar reported it is on by default and drew criticism, including from Senator Ed Markey, who called it a "mass surveillance" system.
- Familiar Faces recognises people your camera sees often. TechCrunch reported it rolling out from December 2025.
- Community Requests let local police ask Ring users to share footage for investigations. Sharing is opt-in. In February 2026 Ring also cancelled a planned integration with police technology company Flock Safety after backlash.
Review each of these in Control Center and decide what you're comfortable with.
Lock down the account
- Use a unique password and two-step verification on your Ring (Amazon) account.
- Check Shared users and remove anyone who no longer needs access.
- Check authorised devices in Control Center and remove ones you don't recognise.
- Set video history to keep recordings no longer than you need.
Smart home devices are a growing target; see how to check if your smart home devices are secure and whether your smart speaker is always listening. Your Ring login is usually your Amazon email. A free email exposure check shows whether it has leaked.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I set up Ring privacy zones?
In the Ring app, go to Devices, select the camera, open Device settings, then Privacy settings, tap Add Privacy Zones, resize the box over the area and tap Done.
How many privacy zones can a Ring camera have?
Ring says each supported device can have up to two Privacy Zones. Some older models do not support them.
Can I remove a Ring privacy zone from old recordings?
No. Ring says blocked areas become a permanent part of the recording.
Should I turn on Ring end-to-end encryption?
It gives stronger privacy because only your enrolled phone can view recordings, but it disables many features such as shared users, video links and viewing on Echo or Fire TV.
Is Ring Search Party on by default?
TechRadar reported that Search Party is enabled by default. Check Control Center to review or change it.
Sources
- Ring: Using privacy features in the Ring app
- Ring: Using video end-to-end encryption
- TechRadar: Ring cuts ties with police tech company after Super Bowl ad backlash
- TechCrunch: Ring cameras can now recognize faces and help find lost pets