My neighbor's Ring doorbell caught me crying and now I feel weird about public spaces

I was sitting on my own front steps last friday after a rough day at work - one of my cleaning clients cancelled last minute and I lost $150. I was just having a moment, not loud or anything, when my new neighbor's camera light turned on and I heard her say "you okay out there?" through the speaker. I get that she was being nice, but it creeped me out that I can't even have a private cry on my own stoop anymore without being watched. Has anyone else dealt with feeling like you're always being monitored by these smart home devices?

3 comments

3 Comments

the_claire1mo agoMost Upvoted

Totally get why that felt weird even if she meant well. But just a heads up, Ring cameras only start recording when motion is detected, not just from sitting still. So if you were just sitting there crying without moving much, it probably didn't capture video until she spoke. Still kinda awkward she watched you long enough to notice, but might help to know you weren't being recorded the whole time. Private property lines get blurry with these things, but front steps are definitely your space.

kelly3851mo ago

Oh man, that is super awkward and I totally feel for you. I actually read something just last week about how these doorbell cams are changing the whole vibe of neighborhoods. This article said people are acting more polite but also more fake because they know they're on camera, and neighbors are getting weird about just existing outside. Like, your front steps should be a safe spot, not a stage. It's one thing if someone is breaking in, but crying on your own stoop is not a crime. The fact that she felt the need to call out to you makes it worse, like now you can't even be sad in peace without someone trying to "help" or whatever. I really wish companies would put more limits on these things, or at least make the recording lights more obvious so you know when you're being watched.

ruby_jones1mo ago

That bit from @the_claire about motion detection is interesting but honestly I still think it misses the bigger point. Even if the camera only kicks on when you move, it still changes how people behave outside their own homes. Like, now you have to think about what if a random movement triggers recording while you're just trying to sit and cry. That's not fair. My street has three houses with doorbell cams and I've caught myself waving at them like an idiot when I walk by, even when nobody is home. It feels like you're always being watched even when you aren't. And the neighbor lady calling out to her just proves the cameras make people feel like they have to intervene in stuff that isn't their business. A front stoop should be private space, period, not a public performance.