Can the aircraft seat cameras spy on passengers?

We are not talking voyeuristic passengers, but an even more frightening thought: be controlled with the help of cameras installed in your in-flight entertainment system (IFE).

In February, Vitaly Kamluk – a Twitter user who works in malware research – was on a Singapore Airlines flight when his wife noticed an "interesting sensor" under the in-flight entertainment screen and pointed it out to him.

"I was quite surprised to actually see a camera.As a security expert, I could imagine many scenarios of misuse of such sensors. I decided to ring, "he said.

Onboard cameras

Can airlines spy on you while sitting in your seat?

Courtesy Pexels

The fact that some aircraft seats are equipped with integrated cameras is not new knowledge.

Singapore Airlines' in-flight entertainment system is manufactured by Panasonic Avionics, a US-based company that provides IENs to many major airlines and the French company Thales. Panasonic announced some time ago that it had added cameras on the back of the seats.

And in 2017, Panasonic Avionics announced a partnership with Tascent, an innovation company in the field of biometrics and identity.

"The companies will combine Tasforce's biometric devices, software and biometric services with Panasonic Avionic Corporation's in-flight entertainment and communication systems to provide simplified, easy-to-use identity recognition prior to departure, during the flight and on arrival ", read the corresponding press release. .

The idea was that the seat security cameras could facilitate immigration on board, avoiding queues during the landing. It has also been suggested that a backup camera could facilitate the processing of payments for onboard purchases.

British Airways claims to have infrared sensors on some files, but no cameras.

With the permission of CNN

In the age of the smartphone, everyone is holding a small movie theater in their hands. So we certainly expect that airlines have exciting entertainment options: a screen just showing movies will no longer suffice.

But has Emirates already done something with its onboard cameras?

"Some of our 777 aircraft are equipped with pre-installed cameras with in-flight entertainment equipment that we purchased from the manufacturer (Panasonic)," a spokesman for the Dubai-based airline told CNN Travel. "Originally, it was intended for video calling station by seat, but Emirates never activated it."

This echoes Singapore Airlines' comment on the issue.

"These cameras have been designed by the manufacturers for future developments," says the airline. "These cameras are permanently disabled on our aircraft and can not be activated on board.We do not intend to activate or develop features using the cameras."

At the same time, American Airlines told CNN Travel that the cameras are "a standard feature", but that they are not activated and the carrier does not plan to use them.

A spokesman for Australian carrier Qantas also told CNN Travel that IFE manufacturers include built-in cameras as standard – and that the airline could not activate the cameras, even if they wanted to.

"The feature would require software to be enabled, which Qantas does not have and does not plan to install."

Air New Zealand and British Airways told CNN Travel that there was no camera on board their aircraft.

Two images obtained by CNN Travel from an IFE system in a British Airways plane show what looks like a goal. BA describes it as an infrared environmental sensor rather than a camera.

Improve the experience?

Passengers fear that the cameras will be hacked.

With permission from Emirates

But are the cameras for the airplane seats a bad idea? Some aviation experts think they could improve the flight experience on board.

Joe Leader, CEO of APEX (Airline Passenger Association of Airlines) believes that there are several practical uses for these cameras.

In addition to facilitating video chat between passengers, cameras can detect passenger discomfort or monitor cabins in case of suspicious behavior.

The cameras could also be used to detect human trafficking or assault – as an extension of the air steward's eyes.

Regarding the protection of privacy, APEX emphasizes the omnipresence of cameras in 21st century society.

"On the other hand, airlines only want to use the cameras in the future with the approval of the technology when the technology has evolved to offer customers personalized service improvements."

Piracy fears, suggests APEX, are "misplaced".

"The greatest risk to the privacy of airline passengers comes from their own smartphones, tablets, cameras, computers and smart devices used in private environments," APEX said.

Hacking fears

Several airlines – including American Airlines in the photo – claim that there are disabled cameras on board their planes.

Courtesy American Airlines

The problem that some travelers are concerned is that even though the existence of these cameras at the back of the seats is not a secret – and even though they could facilitate some cool features – it's misleading to believe that their presence is not announced.

When contacted by CNN Travel, Panasonic Avionics emphasized that it is committed to the privacy of passengers.

"Panasonic Avionics will never activate any feature or functionality within an IFE system without explicit instructions from an airline customer," the company said in a statement to CNN.

"Before using a camera on a Panasonic Avionics system that could affect the privacy of passengers, Panasonic Avionics worked closely with its airline customer to inform passengers about the operation of the system and to certify the safety of passengers. compliance with all applicable privacy laws and regulations, such as [The EU’s data privacy regulation] GDPR. "

But although Panasonic Avionics and airlines say the cameras are currently off, they are not physically hidden and passengers remain worried about hackers.

Kamluk, an expert in cyber security, says that it is a key problem.

"Passengers must understand that there is not a government or air conspiracy against them," he told CNN Travel. "I'm sure airlines do not have an interest in spying on their passengers.

"The real risk comes from a possible unauthorized access to these devices from a powerful malicious attacker." As far as IFE is connected to the Internet, it's possible that a hacking and spying in remote are possible if these devices can be enabled by software. "

Passengers also fear that their data will be stolen or compromised.

"This could result in illegitimate tapping in VIP passenger communications, photographing passport data when filling customs declarations, entering secret PIN code or password to unlock user devices. could be recorded on video, "says Kamluk.

"You can say that standard CCTV presents a similar risk, but when the camera with mic is very close and right in front of you, the quality of such shots, video and audio recordings makes [a] big difference."

Peter Lemme, aviation consultant, told CNN Travel that such fears were not unfounded and that the airlines needed to be listening.

"The public response suggests that the cameras in front of the passengers are a toxic business," said Lemme. "The protection of privacy seems to be the main concern, and this concerns espionage and publication.

"The benefit of an IFE system recognizing that a passenger has fallen asleep, pauses the movie, darkens the screen and replaces a soothing music, but fears that the ## 147 ## #################################################################################### The camera will take a picture of the person who will embarrass or distribute it inappropriately.

"Trust is the variable between companies and customers, it's hard to win and it's easy to lose." Airlines depend on passengers' trust for the confidentiality of their travel information. an airline to endanger the trust, but it has many disadvantages. "

Many people stick stickers on their computer's camera to ensure privacy. Should airlines cover the cameras to reassure passengers?

Lemme thinks so.

"There must be no possibility of surveillance unless the passenger agrees." Does this mean a physical cover plate? I think so. I do not know of any other way that [be] convincing for everyone, "he says.

Kamluk agrees.

"A good strategy is to give passengers a little more control over their level of privacy," he says. "Manufacturers could perform a simple hardware switch to enable / disable all questionable sensors such as cameras and microphones."