The problem with doorbell cams: Nancy Guthrie case and Ring Super Bowl ad reawaken surveillance fears

The article discusses the growing concerns around doorbell cameras and the surveillance fears they raise. It highlights two recent events that have brought these issues to the forefront: a Super Bowl ad by the doorbell-camera company Ring and the FBI's pursuit of the kidnapper of Nancy Guthrie, the mother of Today show host Savannah Guthrie. The article suggests that while many people purchased these devices to protect their packages, there are concerns about how the data collected by these smart home cameras is being used, including the potential for law enforcement to access this information without users' knowledge. The fear is that these video feeds could become part of the government's mass surveillance apparatus, especially in the context of the Trump administration's immigration crackdown. The article suggests that these recent events have reignited longstanding concerns about the implications of widespread surveillance in the home, and the potential for abuse or misuse of the data collected by these devices.

Feb 14, 2026 → Mar 6, 2026