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Ring adopts new encryption standard for cloud features

Created at 26 Aug · 3:16 PM1 source↑ Market-relevant
IN SHORT

Ring is implementing a new encryption standard called TAKE (Throw Away the Key Encryption) as the default for its cloud features. This approach aims to balance advanced functionalities like video search with user privacy by temporarily storing and deleting encryption keys.

Key Numbers

24 hourskey deletion window

Who's Involved

Ring
smart home division implementing new encryption standard
Amazon
parent company of Ring
Internet Engineering Task Force
developer of the open MLS standard
Ring adopts new encryption standard for cloud features

↳ Why This Matters

Ring's new encryption standard, TAKE, represents an effort to balance the demand for intelligent, cloud-based smart home features with growing concerns over user privacy and data security. The approach aims to provide advanced functionalities while mitigating risks associated with persistent data storage.

Key facts

  • Ring is implementing a new encryption standard called TAKE (Throw Away the Key Encryption).
  • TAKE will be the default for video encryption and user control for cloud features.
  • The standard involves temporary cloud storage of encryption keys, deleted within 24 hours.
  • TAKE enables features like Smart Alerts by allowing temporary video decryption.
  • Users can choose end-to-end encryption as an alternative to TAKE.
  • The rollout of TAKE begins in September.

Ring, Amazon's smart home division, announced on Wednesday the adoption of a new encryption standard named TAKE (Throw Away the Key Encryption). This standard will be the default for video encryption and user control for its cloud features, aiming to enhance user privacy without sacrificing functionality.

TAKE utilizes a system of rotating encryption keys that are temporarily stored in the cloud and deleted within 24 hours of use. Ring states this approach allows it to offer advanced cloud-based features, such as Smart Alerts for detecting people, vehicles, or packages, by temporarily decrypting user videos. The company emphasizes that only the user retains the ultimate keys to their video content.

The new standard is built upon the Messaging Layer Security (MLS) protocol, an open standard developed by the Internet Engineering Task Force. Ring has also outlined several methods for users to recover their encryption keys if they lose access to their device, including authentication near cameras, passphrases, cloud backups, or approved devices and passkeys.

Ring plans to begin a gradual global rollout of TAKE starting in September. Users will have the option to manually select end-to-end encryption if they prefer it over the new default standard. This move comes after Ring faced criticism regarding its facial recognition feature, 'Familiar Faces,' and a class-action lawsuit alleging unauthorized storage of images.

Frequently asked questions

TAKE (Throw Away the Key Encryption) is a new standard developed by Ring that uses rotating encryption keys temporarily stored in the cloud and deleted within 24 hours to enable cloud features while aiming to protect user privacy.

Unlike end-to-end encryption, TAKE allows Ring to temporarily decrypt videos to offer features like Smart Alerts, while still aiming to protect user privacy by deleting keys after use.

Users can recover their keys through methods such as authenticating near Ring cameras, using a passphrase, cloud-based backups, or other approved devices and passkeys.

TAKE will be gradually rolled out to customers globally starting in September.

What Happens Next

01TAKE will be gradually rolled out to customers starting in September.
02Users can manually choose end-to-end encryption instead of TAKE.

How It Developed

Ring announced it is adopting a new encryption standard called TAKE.
TAKE will be the default for video encryption and user control for cloud features.
The standard uses rotating encryption keys temporarily stored in the cloud and deleted within 24 hours.
TAKE allows Ring to offer cloud-based features like Smart Alerts by temporarily decrypting videos.
The standard is based on the open Messaging Layer Security (MLS) standard.
Users can recover encryption keys by authenticating near Ring cameras, using a passphrase, cloud backups, or passkeys.
TAKE will be gradually rolled out globally starting in September.
Users can opt for end-to-end encryption instead of TAKE.

Sources

T1
Ring introduces a new encryption standard, makes it the default for cloud featuresTechCrunch

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