Ring is bringing its Neighbours service to the UK from October. Unlike the service in the US, the UK version is fully integrated into the Ring app and doesn’t require an additional app download.
Neighbours is like a geo-fenced Facebook community group. Set your local area on the map, and you can discuss issues with neighbours, from crime to safety, and even lost items.
There’s no need to have any Ring products or a subscription, and anyone can download the Ring app and join in.
While there may be concerns that such an app can lead to hostile behaviour and unsuitable posts being shared, Dave Ward, managing director of Ring International, assured us that there’s a moderation process in place.
He told us that a pre-post notification prompts users to think about what they’re going to post, and a reporting system allows anyone to flag anything unsuitable, which goes to a human for verification.
Find a lost dog
Search Party for Dogs is also coming to Neighbours. If someone loses a dog, they can start a Search Party and upload an image of their dog. Then, anyone within the marked geolocation who has opted in, has Ring cameras and/or doorbells, and a Ring subscription can participate in the search.
With this feature, Ring automatically searches camera footage for a potential match to the dog. Camera owners are notified of potential matches and can choose to share the footage with the missing-dog owner.
According to Ring, the same feature in the US now helps find more than one dog per day.
Dogs are the only supported animal at the moment, although Ring is looking into the option to find other missing animals, such as cats.
Privacy first
Ring is keen to point out that Neighbours and Search Party for Dogs is secure and private: names and addresses are never display; only information you decide to make public can be viewed by other neighbours; and if you want to be contactable, there’s a Contact Me option that protects personal details.
Ring Neighbours and Search Party for Dogs will be available in the Ring app from October, with the final date to be confirmed.
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