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A recent Ring class action claims that the Amazon Alexa-enabled smart home devices are susceptible to disturbing cyberattacks.
The Ring brand offers a series of security and safety devices aimed to keep a consumer’s home monitored and secure.
Most well known are Ring’s smart doorbell, which includes features like a camera, motion sensor, microphone, and video devices, which allow users to monitor the indoor and outdoor areas of their homes.
Although Ring reportedly touts itself as guided by “respect for the privacy and security” of their customers, the class action lawsuit filed against the company claims that the brand’s video cameras may be at risk of being hacked.
Several hacking incidents have reportedly taken place all over the country, with media attention detailing the disturbing experiences of Ring customers.
Plaintiff John Baker Orange says he experienced a hacking issue after purchasing a Ring video camera in July. The camera was placed to view the driveway and ensure security, but allegedly resulted in the harassment of his children.
Orange’s three children, ages 7, 9, and 10, were reportedly playing basketball outside in view of the camera when an unknown person started to speak to them. The hacker allegedly commented on their basketball game and encouraged the kids to get closer to the camera.
Although Orange has since changed his password and enabled two factor authentication, he says he’s suffered damages from the hacking experience.
Ring hacking incidents in Mississippi, Connecticut, Florida, New York, Texas, and Georgia have reportedly left families similarly traumatized.
A family in Mississippi allegedly had their Ring video camera hacked in early December when an unauthorized user started playing music in their daughter’s bedroom. When the 8-year-old child came to check on the unexplained music, a man’s voice called her a racial slur and claimed that he was Santa Claus. The young girl is reportedly traumatized by the experience and refuses to sleep in her room.
One family in Texas was allegedly harassed by an unknown voice on their Ring system and told that their Ring account had been terminated. The hacker reportedly told the couple that they had to pay 50 bitcoins, equal to more than $350,000, otherwise they would be “terminated” like their account was. The hackers allegedly used the couple’s Ring doorbell to further harass the couple and make them think they were being stalked.
Orange argues that, even for customers who did not experience harassment from hackers, the risks are significant. Hackers can allegedly survey consumers for extended periods of times while remaining undetected, which puts their personal information at risk.
“Hackers who choose not to interact with occupants have gone unnoticed for days, month and even years during which time they spied on occupants and their homes, gathering an array of private [information] which can subsequently be sold and used for a host of nefarious purposes,” the Ring class action lawsuit claims.
According to Orange’s Ring class action lawsuit, hackers are able to access the smart security systems due to “lax security standards and protocols” that leave the video cameras vulnerable. Orange argues that Ring is liable for the cybersecurity attacks due to their failure to properly protect their systems and consumers.
The Ring class action lawsuit also includes claims against Amazon, which acquired Ring LLC in February 2018 for an estimated value of more than $1.2 billion.
In his Ring class action, Orange seeks to represent a Class of consumers who purchased a Ring video camera.
Was your Ring device or other smart home device accessed by hackers? Share your experiences in the comment section below.
Orange and the proposed Class are represented by Francis J. “Casey” Flynn Jr. of the Law Office of Francis J. Flynn Jr. and John A. Yanchunis of Morgan & Morgan Complex Litigation Group.
The Ring Video Hacking Class Action Lawsuit is Orange v. Ring LLC, et al., Case No. 2:19-cv-10899, in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.
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