Think tank suggests ways to handle Augmented and Virtual Reality privacy

The recommendations are contained in report called Augmented Reality + Virtual Reality: Privacy & Autonomy Considerations in Emerging, Immersive Digital Worlds, which also considers current and future use of XR technology.

Among FPF’s suggestions (see box below) are recommendations for how policymakers, hardware makers, XR developers and researchers on how data can be protected.

These include advice for policymakers considering how data protection laws can provide clear obligations regarding XR data; hardware makers considering how data collection, use and sharing can be transparent and XR developers considering how personal data can be processed locally.

“The vast amount of sensitive personal information collected by AR and VR technologies creates serious risks to consumers that could undermine the adoption of these platforms and limit their utility,” the Washington-headquartered think tank said.

The forum’s CEO Jules Polonetsky added: “XR technologies are rapidly being adopted by consumers and increasingly being used for work and for education. It’s essential that guidelines are set to ensure privacy and safety while business models are being established.”

FPF’s policy counsel Jeremy Greenberg pointed out XR technologies provide substantial benefits across the likes of education, gaming, architectural design and healthcare.

But he added: “XR technology systems often rely on biometric identifiers and measurements, real-time location tracking, and precise maps of the physical world.

“The collection of such sensitive personal information creates privacy risks that must be considered by stakeholders across the XR landscape in order to ensure this immersive technology is implemented responsibly.”

The FPF brings together industry, academics, consumer advocates and other thought leaders to explore the challenges posed by technological innovation and develop privacy protections, ethical norms and workable business practices.