New Ring Encryption Standard
Ring makes new rotating key encryption default for cameras to enhance security and features.
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Key Points
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Users can authenticate near Ring cameras to recover encryption keys if they lose access to a new device, enabling continued access to their footage.
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TAKE rotates encryption keys every five minutes and stores copies in a cloud secure enclave to decrypt footage for active features, with all key copies deleted within 24 hours.
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Account recovery can be performed through multiple options: a passphrase, cloud-based backups, another approved device, or passkeys.
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TAKE allows access for trusted Shared Users chosen by the account owner, while the owner retains the master keys on enrolled devices.
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Ring’s leadership frames TAKE as practical technical proof of data protection, not just a promise, signaling a step toward rebuilding trust.
Ring is making a major shift in how it protects your home camera footage. Starting in September, the company will roll out TAKE—a new encryption system that keeps you in control of your video while still allowing features like Smart Alerts and AI-powered search. ABC12 reports that TAKE rotates encryption keys every five minutes and deletes all copies within 24 hours, ensuring Ring can't access your videos without your permission.
The move addresses years of privacy concerns about Ring's close ties to law enforcement. IBTimes notes that TAKE will become the default encryption for all Ring cameras worldwide, though users can still choose traditional end-to-end encryption if they prefer. Ring says this is proof, not just a promise, that customers truly own and control their footage.
How TAKE Encryption Actually Works
TAKE stands for Throw Away the Key Encryption. BetaNews explains that the system briefly decrypts videos to power features, then immediately deletes the encryption keys. Keys are stored in Amazon's secure cloud vaults and rotated every five minutes. This means even if someone breaks into Ring's servers, the keys they find are already useless.
If you lose access to your phone or device, you can recover your keys in four ways: using a passphrase, cloud-based backups, another approved device, or passkeys. HowToGeek reports that near-camera authentication lets you recover keys by being physically present at your Ring camera, adding a layer of protection against remote account takeovers.
What Ring Can and Cannot Access
Ring's new approach limits law enforcement access significantly. The company can only provide law enforcement with non-video data and encrypted video files—not the keys to unlock them. ArchyNetys reports that Ring frames TAKE as setting a new industry standard by proving it doesn't need constant access to your footage to operate.
You can grant access to trusted family members or friends, but you stay in control. Master encryption keys stay on your enrolled devices, and you decide who can view your footage. This represents a significant change from Ring's previous model, where the company held more control over video access and law enforcement requests.
Ring's Long History of Privacy Concerns
Ring has faced years of criticism over surveillance and privacy practices. The company aired a controversial Super Bowl ad and ended its partnership with Flock, a police-data platform, as critics questioned the ethics of its law enforcement relationships. ABC12 reports that TAKE is Ring's attempt to rebuild trust by showing tangible technical protections rather than just making promises.
TAKE will roll out worldwide starting September as the default encryption option. Users who want traditional end-to-end encryption—where Ring cannot access footage at all—can still opt for that choice. Ring emphasizes that this move proves customers truly own their security footage and control who sees it.
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