Amazon and Flock Safety ended their partnership that would have given law enforcement access to a vast network of Ring cameras, following significant backlash to a Super Bowl advertisement. The ad, intended to be heartwarming, was perceived by many as disturbing and dystopian, sparking outrage. In other tech news, Verizon implemented a new waiting period for customers seeking to unlock phones after paying off device installment plans, while a man remotely accessed thousands of DJI Romo robot vacuums due to poor security. Meanwhile, a California beach town is set to utilize AI to detect bike lane violations.
The controversial Ring advertisement, which aired during the Super Bowl, featured a young girl receiving a puppy and then highlighted a "Search Party" feature for Ring cameras designed to help locate missing pets. However, the ad's tone and implications of widespread surveillance drew criticism, ultimately leading to the termination of the partnership with Flock Safety, according to Ars Technica.
Verizon's new policy, as reported by Ars Technica, introduces a 35-day waiting period for customers who pay off their device installment plans early to unlock their phones. This delay applies to payments made online, through the Verizon app, and at authorized retailers. The only way to get an immediate unlock is to pay off the device plan at a Verizon corporate store. Unlocking a phone allows it to be used on another network, giving customers more carrier flexibility.
In a separate development, a man was able to remotely access thousands of DJI Romo robot vacuums due to security vulnerabilities, according to The Verge. Sammy Azdoufal, who was attempting to control his own vacuum with a PS5 gamepad, discovered the security flaws. The immediate threat may be fixed, but this raises serious questions about the security of smart home devices.
Finally, the city of Santa Monica, California, will begin using an AI system to detect bike lane violations, according to Ars Technica. Starting in April, the city will deploy Hayden AI's scanning technology in seven parking enforcement vehicles. "The more we can reduce the amount of illegal parking, the safer we can make it for bike riders," Charley Territo, chief growth officer at Hayden AI, told Ars Technica.
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