![\"displays\"](\"https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/sft\/articles\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2021\/04\/FeatPicInflightCameras-1024x576-1.jpg\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Can’t we catch a break? It’s bad enough Android apps are stealing our data<\/a>, and hundreds of millions of our emails have been exposed<\/a>. Now we’ve got to worry about our in-flight movies spying on us too?<\/p>\n Just found this interesting sensor looking at me from the seat back on board of Singapore Airlines. Any expert opinion of whether this a camera? Perhaps @SingaporeAir<\/a> could clarify how it is used? pic.twitter.com\/vy0usqruZG<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Vitaly Kamluk (@vkamluk) February 17, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n Apparently, we do, as three major airlines<\/strong> have already confirmed our fears: United<\/a>, American<\/a>, and Singapore Airlines<\/a> not only admit to having cameras placed beneath viewing monitors<\/strong>, but they have no plans of removing them<\/strong>. “These cameras on our newer IFE systems were provided by the original equipment manufacturers,” Singapore Airlines said in a tweet<\/a>. The justification for what otherwise seems an egregious breach of trust is that while the cameras are there, they are not actively watching passengers.<\/strong> “We have no plans to enable or develop any features using the cameras,” they immediately explained.<\/p>\n Good to know they’re not already watching us, at least, but honestly it’s small comfort. Will passengers even be aware should they be turned on? If you think this sounds like a scandal waiting to happen, you’re not alone.<\/p>\n Which begs the question …<\/p>\n So if these cameras are not on, what’s the point? \u201cThis is a standard feature that manufacturers of the system have included for possible future purposes such as video conferencing,\u201d a United spokesperson explained.<\/p>\n Panasonic Avionics<\/a> (the maker of the IFE system) acknowledged the outrage by arguing their actions were in compliance with General Data Protection Regulation<\/a> (GDPR), the data protection law for the European Union. \u201cOur cameras have never been activated on United aircraft,” a spokesman of United Airlines assured, “and we have no plans to use them in the future.”<\/p>\n Some may be assuaged by this claim, but let’s address the elephant in the room: Just because an airline isn’t spying on its passengers with in-flight cameras doesn’t mean a third-party hacker can’t easily access them.<\/strong> After all, if a hacker can slip into someone’s home via IoT devices<\/a>, who’s to say it’s not possible on a major airline?<\/p>\n \u201cAs far as IFE is connected to the Internet, there is a possibility of remote hack and espionage if such devices can be activated in software,” said Kaspersky’s Vitaly Kamluk<\/a>.<\/p>\n The Airline Passenger Experience Association (APEX) asserts these fears are misplaced, however, with their CEO Joe Leader<\/a> claiming that “the greatest risk to airline\u00a0passenger privacy breaches come from their own smartphones, tablets, cameras, computers, and smart devices used in private settings.”<\/p>\n Kamluk disagrees, arguing that “the true risk comes from potential unauthorized access to these devices from powerful malicious attackers.” Until a scandal breaks out we’re likely not going to know who’s right here. On the other hand, could this technology one day be praised for its benefits?<\/p>\n Maybe we’re asking the wrong questions. Like all manners of new\u00a0technology, the benefits may outweigh the risks. After all, there are still millions of people on Facebook despite the numerous\u00a0privacy risks<\/a>. Likewise, can we benefit from in-flight cameras?<\/p>\n\n
Why are there in-flight cameras to begin with?<\/h3>\n
![\"Inflight](\"https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/sft\/articles\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2021\/04\/InflightCamera2.jpg\")
Can these be helpful?<\/h3>\n
![\"Inflight](\"https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/sft\/articles\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2021\/04\/InflightCamera.jpg\")