United covers up cameras on seatback screens
United Airlines has started covering up built-in webcams on in-flight entertainment screens after a furore over ‘creepy’ privacy concerns.
Like many with other airlines, the IFE systems built by Panasonic come with the cameras as a standard feature, although United said at the time it did not make a specific request for them.
It said has no plans to use them.
"Some of our premium seats have in-flight entertainment systems that came with cameras installed by the manufacturer. All cameras have since been covered, which were never activated and that we have no plans to use in the future," a United spokesperson told BuzzFeed.
The cameras were first spotted on Singapore Airlines jets with passengers at the time unsure whether they were activated.
That wasn’t the case but the privacy concerns ramped up when they were also discovered on IFE screens installed on several US airlines.
Both American Airlines and Delta said they have no intention of using the cameras.
Manufacturer Panasonic Avionics said the cameras could one day be used to enhance the in-flight passenger experience such as providing seat-to-seat video calling but it appears no airlines either requested or want them,
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Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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