Ring Donation Program
In collaboration with the National Network to End Domestic Violence and TechSoup, Ring is donating Video Doorbells and Outdoor Cams, both X-line devices. X-Line devices include built-in subscription benefits for the lifetime of the device. These subscription benefits are linked to the device itself, not to a user account or location, and remain active for the lifetime of the device. X-Line devices receive all features included in Ring's Basic plan. Devices provided through this donation program are intended for the use of survivors of domestic violence in their homes.
Devices will be sent directly to survivor-serving organizations to provide to survivors who are interested in using them as part of their safety planning. Many survivors use cameras to feel a greater sense of security and control over their property and their home. Notifications of movement at the front door, for example, can lead survivors to check the cameras before coming home. Some survivors also use camera footage to help document ongoing abuse and stalking. Learn more about safety and privacy with the Ring Donation Program below.
Considerations for Use and Safety
Ring provides these devices to nonprofit organizations whose primary mission is the support of survivors of domestic violence, so that those organizations can supplement safety planning and work with survivors to use these devices safely and appropriately. To provide that support, the Safety Net Project encourages organizations to consider the following points BEFORE sharing donated Ring devices with survivors.
When should a survivor receive a device?
For these Ring devices to effectively and safely be incorporated into a survivor’s safety strategies, they should only be given to a survivor under the following conditions:
The survivor is currently receiving services from an advocate with the organization, and that advocate has completed a risk assessment and safety plan with the survivor.
The survivor has access to a mobile phone that is considered safe to use, meaning that only the survivor has access to:
the contents of the phone, the phone is protected by passcode or biometrics, and it is free of stalkerware;
the survivor’s account with the mobile service provider; and
any cloud-based account (e.g., Apple or Google) attached to the device.
The survivor has safe housing where the use of a device is appropriate and wouldn’t risk the privacy and safety of any other survivor of abuse (e.g. not in a clustered transitional housing program).
The survivor has access to a secure email address/account, meaning that only the survivor has access to that email address, and they can access it from a safe mobile device.
The survivor’s safe mobile device can download and run the Ring App (available on iOS, Android, and Fire OS devices), and the survivor can use their secure email address to setup a Ring account.
The survivor has home internet service and a Wi-Fi router or access point that are both considered safe to use, meaning that only the survivor has access to:
the survivor’s account with the internet service provider; and
the Wi-Fi router or access point, including administrative logins and network access for those devices.
For more information about the Ring donation program, please visit TechSoup.org
Frequently Asked Questions
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Shipping costs for devices are also donated by Ring. TechSoup charges a one-time $10 per device administrative fee to cover their operating cost. Since devices are provided in six-unit bundles, that amounts to a $60 administrative fee per bundle. No portion of this fee goes to Ring or NNEDV.
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Survivor safety, support, and confidentiality is top of mind for NNEDV and Ring. All organizations that participate in this initiative must agree that they will not require device recipients to: share their Ring video footage with anyone else, share access to their device, or register their Ring device with a third party. Every survivor has different needs and advocates will work to ensure a device can benefit an individual’s circumstance.
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No. Ring does not provide any device donations to law enforcement, nor does Ring share any information related to device recipients with law enforcement as part of this program. Devices will be donated directly to nonprofit organizations who provide victim support programs and services. These expert organizations agree that as part of their programs they will not require recipients to share their Ring video footage or information with anyone else, including law enforcement, as a condition of participating.
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Ring does not disclose customer information in response to law enforcement requests unless required to do so to comply with a government demand (i.e., a legally valid and binding request for information for law enforcement agencies such as a subpoena, search warrant, or court order), or in very rare emergency circumstances. Ring carefully reviews and objects to overbroad or inappropriate government demands. In rare emergencies, Ring may provide information to law enforcement if there is an imminent danger of death or serious physical injury, such as a kidnapping or an attempted murder. These emergency requests are reviewed by trained professionals who disclose information only if that legal standard is met. For additional information, please see Ring’s Law Enforcement Guidelines linked in the More Information section below.
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NNEDV and Ring understand that every community is different and survivor needs are unique. Devices are donated directly to expert organizations, who can work with survivors of domestic violence to assess their safety needs. If a survivor is interested in using a device, they can work with the organization’s advocates to implement it safely. With the goal of enhancing safety planning, these devices are meant to be an option for survivors, as a tool to help increase their sense of security at home.
Guides for Advocates and Survivors
These guides were developed by the Texas Council on Family Violence to provide information about risks and benefits, approaches to addressing common issues, and troubleshooting tips. They are meant to supplement each other.
