wraggster
May 28th, 2013, 23:04
Germany's federal commissioner for data protection Peter Schaar has expressed concerns over the privacy implications of the Xbox One.
Polygon (http://www.polygon.com/2013/5/27/4370458/german-data-protection-commissioner-privacy-concerns-xbox-one) translates a German news report that Schaar has been looking into Microsoft’s console since its unveiling earlier this month.
More specifically, Schaar is investigating the hardware’s always-on capabilities and the new Kinect’s (http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/the-extent-of-kinect-2-s-visual-drm-is-beginning-to-emerge/0116138) ability to listen and respond to commands even when powered down; as well as the latter’s other capabilities, like being able to see in the dark, recording a user’s heart rate and tracking muscle movement.
"The Xbox [One] registered all sorts of personal information about me," Schaar said. “Reaction rates, my learning or emotional states.”
“You are then processed on a remote server and possibly even to third parties. Whether it be deleted ever, the person concerned cannot influence.”
The Xbox One will require a Kinect to function, though the peripheral’s settings can apparently be adjusted. Microsoft has already responded to the announcement, saying that user privacy is a top priority.
http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/german-data-protection-commissioner-has-privacy-concerns-with-xbox-one/0116209
Polygon (http://www.polygon.com/2013/5/27/4370458/german-data-protection-commissioner-privacy-concerns-xbox-one) translates a German news report that Schaar has been looking into Microsoft’s console since its unveiling earlier this month.
More specifically, Schaar is investigating the hardware’s always-on capabilities and the new Kinect’s (http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/the-extent-of-kinect-2-s-visual-drm-is-beginning-to-emerge/0116138) ability to listen and respond to commands even when powered down; as well as the latter’s other capabilities, like being able to see in the dark, recording a user’s heart rate and tracking muscle movement.
"The Xbox [One] registered all sorts of personal information about me," Schaar said. “Reaction rates, my learning or emotional states.”
“You are then processed on a remote server and possibly even to third parties. Whether it be deleted ever, the person concerned cannot influence.”
The Xbox One will require a Kinect to function, though the peripheral’s settings can apparently be adjusted. Microsoft has already responded to the announcement, saying that user privacy is a top priority.
http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/german-data-protection-commissioner-has-privacy-concerns-with-xbox-one/0116209