Amazon’s Ring is facing another privacy battle in the US after a Virginia resident filed a proposed class action alleging the company’s smart doorbell cameras collected and stored facial recognition data from visitors and passers-by without consent.

The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Seattle, targets Ring’s optional ‘Familiar Faces’ feature, which uses AI to recognise people who appear near a Ring camera and deliver personalised alerts to the device owner.

It’s alleged that the feature scans faces, creates biometric “face prints” and retains images of people who may have no relationship with the Ring customer and no knowledge they are being recorded in this way.

The complaint claims millions of Americans may have had their facial recognition information collected while walking past Ring security cameras or visiting homes and businesses using the feature.

Sigwalt is seeking class-action status and at least US$5 million (A$6.97 million), in damages. Amazon declined to comment on the lawsuit.

Ring introduced Familiar Faces in 2025, positioning it as a convenience feature for customers wanting more specific alerts, such as identifying family members or regular visitors. Privacy advocates have argued the system raises serious consent issues because non-users cannot meaningfully opt in or out.

The case adds to a growing list of privacy controversies for Ring, which Amazon acquired in 2018 for US$1 billion.

In 2023, Ring agreed to a US$5.8 million settlement with the US Federal Trade Commission over allegations relating to employee access to customer videos. Amazon denied wrongdoing in that matter.