Ring founder Jamie Siminoff departs to join Latch

Popular video doorbell firm Ring is experiencing a significant leadership change as founder Jamie Siminoff announced his departure.

Siminoff created Ring with a vision of letting users answer their doors with their smartphones. The idea came to him after he discovered an easy way to know if someone was at the door while he was working in his garage.

Ring was sold to Amazon in 2018 for over $1 billion. Now, after five years with Amazon, Siminoff is ready to pursue new opportunities, leaving the reins of the ring in the hands of newly appointed CEO Liz Hammeren.

In an email to employees, Hammeren assured the team that despite Siminoff’s departure, the company’s focus remains unwavering. Hammeren previously worked on products such as Oculus and Xbox and brings a wealth of experience to her new role.

Amazon spokeswoman Yassi Yargar praised Siminoff’s contributions, acknowledging his role in making Ring a globally recognized brand that has revolutionized home security.

Siminoff himself reflected on his journey, stating that what started as a weekend project in his garage has become a household name and part of one of the most innovative companies in the world. He expressed confidence in Ring’s future under Amazon’s leadership and enthusiasm for the company’s continued mission.

Ring’s ascent to becoming the market leader for video doorbells hasn’t been without controversy. The company has faced scrutiny for its association with police departments, including its use of law enforcement officers as brand ambassadors and the provision of guidance on accessing footage without a warrant.

While Siminoff aimed to reduce neighborhood crime through these partnerships, an NBC News investigation found that many departments could not attribute their crime-solving success to their association with Ring.

Additionally, in 2019, reports emerged that Ring employees had shared unencrypted videos from customer cameras. The company took action by sacking four employees for abusing access to customer videos and subsequently implemented measures such as end-to-end encryption and privacy shutters on its latest indoor cameras to prioritize user privacy.

Despite these challenges, Ring has managed to solidify its position as the leading provider of video doorbells. As Siminoff bids farewell to the company he founded, Ring and Amazon will need to continue building on the firm’s successes while avoiding further controversy.

Siminoff, for his part, is joining smart lock firm Latch as its CEO.

“I’m excited to join the Latch team that has built an incredible offering that users across the country enjoy and take advantage of every day,” said Siminoff.

“Smart, secure access control is fundamental not only for real estate operators like me, but also for residents and service providers. I look forward to combining Honest Day’s work with Latch to create a residential ecosystem that enables building owners, Empowering operators, service providers and residents alike.”

(Photo by Joe Ng on Unsplash)

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tag: amazon, internet of things, iot, jamie siminoff, latch smart lock, ring doorbell, smart lock, video doorbell