Originally Posted by
WineCountryUA
What reason to believe it is a functioning camera given UA's past actions.
Why raise this now?
The fact that the camera is there leaves the concern of making it functional, even if it isn’t now. Further, there is little reason to believe that United’s systems are the most secure in the world, do we don’t only have to worry about United’s intentions.
Originally Posted by
mahasamatman
Time to start bringing duct tape on board?
YES. Or post-it notes.
Originally Posted by
DJ_Iceman
Why is this a concern? It's not like United doesn't already have our birth information on file. And if you don't want to be on camera, then don't leave your house (and even then, maybe tough luck). I just don't get why this would freak anyone out.
Why: For the same reason that a lot of people disable their laptop camera when not in use. And asking people not to leave their house isn’t a very constructive response to privacy concerns. We have stacks of laws and regulations to protect privacy. Should we just toss those out too?
Originally Posted by
cricketer
The only way I see a personalized IFE experience actually being useful is if it goes with me from flight to flight, and seamlessly allows me to resume where I might have left off. i.e. it should work like any streaming service account does today. Absent that, there is zero value. Everything else is in the app anyway.
It does! I didn’t finish the movie «Trap» on my flight from ICN to SFO week before last, and when I flew IAD to LAX this past week, the inflight entertainment system finished where I left off. I was pretty amazed at that, and I definitely liked it.
Originally Posted by
mahasamatman
It could be used to monitor passenger reaction to the commercials. Advertisers pay more for that.
Less worried about that than the other obvious opportunities for Palantir like surveillance.
Originally Posted by
WineCountryUA
If the mythical camera feature existed, there would be no need for the DOB verification.
Feels like grasping at straws and if this ever was showed to be true, the public reaction would be hugely negative. Even thought it was inactive in the past; the reaction was enough for UA to actually state the cameras were interactive and still would be covered up.
I believe what you’re seeing here is the hugely negative feedback. 😉
I agree with you that UA probably doesn’t massively complex AI and facial recognition running. However, having the camera there enables it as a possibility, be it UA or some hacking operation based behind some curtain somewhere. (And not the curtain between First and Pigeon class.)
Originally Posted by
SPN Lifer
A small Post-it® note (1⅜ x 1⅞ inches) would work as well, with much less weight and hassle.
YES. This is it! Our SISO once wanted to spend $1,500 on laptop camera covers (black stickers). I paid $0.55 for a post-it book myself and gave it to him. (Our relationship never recovered, though we ostensibly agreed.)