Understanding camera permissions on Samsung’s new VR headset
Recently, we got a sneak peek into Samsung’s new VR headset, known as Project Moohan, through a hands-on video. This video showed us plenty about the device, but one important detail was missing: how it handles camera permissions for apps.
Imagine if apps on your VR headset could see everything you see. That could be a privacy nightmare if not managed correctly. Thankfully, the way Samsung’s headset deals with camera permissions is quite reassuring, much like how Android smartphones do it.
A chat with a Google representative, discussed by tech journalist Tony from Skarred Ghost, shed some light on this. Here’s what we learned:
Apps Need Your Permission
Just like on your phone, if an app on the VR headset wants to use the camera, it needs your go-ahead first. This applies whether the app wants to see what’s in front of you (using the outward-facing camera) or what you’re doing (using the inward-facing camera).
Two Types of Camera Access
Outward-Facing Cameras: These let apps see the world as you do. If an app asks to use these, it can show what’s happening around you.
Inward-Facing Cameras: Instead of showing your actual face, these cameras track your movements to create an avatar. This avatar then appears in the app, based on where you move your head, hands, eyes, and face.
This avatar is crafted using data from what’s called OpenXR APIs, which helps in tracking your movements for a more interactive and private experience.
Privacy and Control
The bottom line is that Samsung’s approach to camera permissions on their VR headset mirrors the security measures on Android phones. This means you have control over which apps can peek into your world or your actions through the headset’s cameras.
We’re all looking forward to more details on this innovative headset, especially regarding its price and when it will be available to consumers. Until then, it’s comforting to know that privacy is taken seriously in this new tech frontier.
