A study last year found that there are so many cameras in the U.S. that you might feel like a celebrity. The average American is on cam 238 times a week or roughly 34 times a day. The amount would vary depending on where you live, but it’s still a lot.
Here’s the backstory
The Neighbors app works like a social media network, where residents can discuss crime-related matters in the area. During criminal investigations, the police can directly message residents for video evidence or other details. But the practice is criticized for racial profiling and the potential for state surveillance. In 2019 the Electronic Frontier Foundation spoke out about the Neighbors and similar apps. “All too often, they facilitate reporting of so-called ‘suspicious’ behavior that really amounts to racial profiling,” it wrote in a blog post. But that is all about to change.
The big change to Neighbors
“Beginning next week, public safety agencies will only be able to request information or video from their communities through a new, publicly viewable post category on Neighbors called Request for Assistance,” Ring explained on its website. The company detailed that only verified public safety agency profiles can post a Request for Assistance. When a request is made, anybody who uses the app can ask for more information on the incident. The change aims to make law enforcement requests more transparent. It should also reduce the number of “racial profiling” cases logged by police departments. Here are some requirements:
Each post must include a valid case number and agency contact information.Limited to a 12-hour timeframe.And only encompass an area between 0.025 and .5 miles.
Keep reading
CCTV viral video proves a time traveler, you watch and decide How your Wi-Fi can be hacked to tell criminals if you’re away from home
