Released on Feb. 2 to an anticipating (albeit niche) crowd, Apple has begun selling its new Vision Pro Headset, a $3,500 gadget that loops around the user’s head designed to give a taste of the future by scanning the wearer’s retinas and allowing them to be presented with a fascinating blend of reality using augmented, digital technology.
While the Vision Pro Headset offers an exciting glimpse into the future, potential buyers should consider the privacy dangers from its eye-scanning software before deciding to make the hefty purchase until Apple makes a statement acknowledging the scanning technology and confirming its capabilities.
It is true, of course, that Apple prides itself on its product-related transparency, but this type of technology is the first of its kind, and according to the Washington Post, despite Apple’s insistence that the information detected from the scanning software will not be shared with third parties, Apple itself will still have access to this data.
The Post’s Geoffrey Fowler raised his alarm about the scanning software, sharing how the Vision Pro scanning software allows it to be able judge your surroundings, like how large your television is — allowing the device to potentially deduce your socio-economic status as well as detect cribs, wheelchairs or narcotics laying around a home.
While the Vision Pro was still being developed, a research paper also raised the concerns of eye-scanning technology, as the data can potentially be used to reveal details about the wearer’s gender, age, ethnicity, body weight, drug habits, emotions and other sensitive identifiers.
Anyone considering purchasing the Vision Pro headset should hold off on buying until Apple releases a public statement addressing the eye-scanning technology and either confirm or deny the concerns about the product.
