Dead phone batteries are annoying, but losing control of your security cameras is terrifying. The Fulu Foundation just posted a $10,000+ bounty for hackers who can modify Ring video doorbells to run locally on your PC or server, cutting ties with Amazon’s data-hungry ecosystem while preserving motion detection and night vision features.
This isn’t some basement dweller’s pipe dream. The bounty comes from repair advocate Louis Rossmann’s foundation, targeting moderately technical users who can complete the hack in under an hour with basic tools.
Legal Protection Meets Technical Challenge
Winners can keep modifications private to avoid DMCA prosecution
The bounty addresses a crucial pain point: Section 1201 of the DMCA prohibits circumventing digital locks, making public Ring hacks legally risky. Fulu’s solution? Winners can opt not to release their findings publicly, collecting payment while avoiding potential prosecution.
“Control is at the heart of security,” says Kevin O’Reilly, Fulu cofounder. “If we don’t control our data, we don’t control our devices.” The foundation wants “a weekend project” that ensures Ring owners “are the only ones who can see their footage.”
Super Bowl Ad Triggers Privacy Meltdown
Ring’s “Search Party” feature sparked surveillance fears and corporate backtracking
Ring’s cheerful Super Bowl commercial showcasing their “Search Party” feature—AI scanning neighborhood cameras for lost pets—hit viewers like a surveillance nightmare wrapped in feel-good packaging. Social media exploded with privacy concerns, people destroyed their cameras, and Ring CEO Jamie Siminoff embarked on an apology tour.
The backlash was swift and brutal. Ring canceled its pre-launch partnership with police surveillance firm Flock Safety, claiming the decision was “mutual” before any videos were shared.
Your Current Privacy Options Are Complicated
Ring users face trade-offs between encryption and smart features
You can disable Search Party in the Ring app’s Control Center, toggling it off per camera. End-to-end encryption blocks Amazon access entirely but kills AI features like person detection—the very capabilities that make these cameras smart.
Ring’s troubling track record includes the 2023 FTC settlement for employee video access, past warrantless police sharing, and ongoing biometric concerns that have senators calling for feature shutdowns.
The bounty reflects growing frustration with this all-or-nothing choice. Your security cameras shouldn’t require surrendering privacy to function properly—and $10,000 says someone can prove it.
