# Amazon's Ring launches UK neighbourhood watch app

> Amazon's Ring doorbell app is coming to the UK with community features, but holding back the most controversial US tools that privacy campaigners have criticised.
- Title: Amazon's Ring launches UK neighbourhood watch app | Shortify
- Summary: Amazon's Ring doorbell app is coming to the UK with community features, but holding back the most controversial US tools that privacy campaigners have…
- Keywords: amazon, ring, neighbours app, uk launch, privacy concerns, doorbell camera, community safety, police access, encryption, take encryption, news, world
- Source: the Guardian — https://theguardian.com/technology/2026/sep/16/amazon-ring-neighbours-app-uk-doorbell-privacy-safety
- Published: 2026-09-16T14:00:21+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: amazon, ring, neighbours app, uk launch, privacy concerns, doorbell camera, community safety, police access, encryption, take encryption, news, world
## Ring launches free community app in UK
Amazon's Ring is releasing its Neighbours app for free within the main Ring app from October 21st. Anyone can use it to post about safety, lost pets, or community matters, whether they own a Ring device or not.
## Replacing WhatsApp groups with moderated posts
Ring wants to replace messy neighbourhood WhatsApp and Facebook groups with a cleaner platform. Users set their address and choose a radius between 0.1 and five miles to join their local community.

> We're trying to tailor this down to just the things that really matter to your immediate community and then it becomes super useful.
## Strict moderation and content guidelines
Posts must follow strict guidelines barring illegal content, discrimination, and speculation. AI and human moderators review content before and after publication to keep discussions focused and community-friendly.
## Controversial US features delayed for UK
Ring is holding back two contentious US features. Neighbours Verified lets authorities post advisories, while Community Requests lets police ask for camera footage from local Ring owners. Both are being developed for UK release but not until later this year at earliest.
## Police can request footage on opt-in basis
The Community Requests feature allows police to ask for Ring camera footage after incidents. Residents can choose to share video on a per-event basis, and police are not told who declines to share.
## Search Party for Dogs finds lost pets
The app includes a Search Party for Dogs feature where owners post lost dog photos. Neighbours with Ring cameras and cloud subscriptions can opt in to search, getting alerts if their cameras spot a matching dog.
## New encryption limits Ring's own access
Ring introduced TAKE encryption, which gives the company time-limited 24-hour keys to footage. After 24 hours, Ring and law enforcement cannot access videos without the user issuing new keys from their app.
## Key takeaway

Ring's new Neighbours app lets UK residents share local safety updates and lost pet alerts without owning a Ring device, but police access to camera footage won't launch until later.