Ring is finally making two-factor authentication mandatory. In addition, Ring is also giving users more control over the third-party services which can access their information. This applies to both analytics and advertising. Which is a good first step.
Ring Has Been Getting a Lot of Criticism
While lots of people are buying, using, and loving their Ring doorbells and other products, the company has been criticized for some of its security practices. Especially the lack of mandatory two-factor authentication and poor password management.
The EFF has also criticized Ring for the amount of information the Ring app shares with third-parties. This includes customers’ personally identifiable information (PII) being shared with Facebook, mixpanel.com, appsflyer.com, and branch.io.
What Ring Is Doing to Secure Your Account
Now, as outlined in a post on The Ring Blog, Ring is promising to make changes. The first of which is making two-factor authentication mandatory. This means that not only is 2FA required rather than users opting-in, opting-out is no longer an option.
We’re rolling out extra layers of security and control to all Ring accounts. From enforcing a second layer of account verification to adding more controls over third party service providers. Learn more here: https://t.co/Bo8Zx9qma8 pic.twitter.com/COqFEA1TgL
— Ring (@ring) February 18, 2020
2FA means that every time you log in to your Ring account, you’ll receive a one-time, six-digit code via email or SMS. This “helps prevent unauthorized users from gaining access to your Ring account, even if they have your username and password.”
Ring is also launching tools to manage third-party service providers. This means you can now “opt out of sharing your information with third-party service providers for the purpose of receiving personalized ads.” You may still see ads, but they won’t be personalized.
It’s also working on “providing users with more abilities to opt out” and “limit sharing information with third-party service providers.” And in the meantime it’s “temporarily pausing the use of most third-party analytics services in the Ring apps and website”.
Is Ring Making Your Home More Secure?
This won’t go far enough for those who have found Ring’s systems wanting in recent months. However, it’s a start, and Ring users should make use of the new tools. Especially as there’s a case to be made that your Ring device is making your home less safe.
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