Have a Ring camera? The FTC may send you a refund — how to claim it

You may have a bit of money coming your way — and all you had to do to get it was endure a breach of your privacy.

The Federal Trade Commission announced this week that settlement payments stemming from a 2023 complaint against the doorbell camera company Ring have started going out to affected customers. Ring reached the settlement after the FTC accused it of “egregious violations of users’ privacy,” including allowing employees and contractors to see videos, which were used to train algorithms without customer consent.

How to get Ring settlement payout

As a result of the settlement, 117,044 Ring owners are getting direct payments for their troubles. These payments will be sent out via PayPal to affected users — and there’s no need to manually make a claim for the money. Eligible customers should have received an email notification this week letting them know the money is available. It must be claimed from PayPal within 30 days.

The FTC says to call 1-833-637-4884 if you have a problem with your payment. That number belongs to Rust Consulting Inc., the company responsible for doling out the payments.

Needless to say, there are plenty of reasons not to own a Ring camera. But if you do own one, you might get a little bit of money out of it a few years later, at least.