Privacy in virtual reality (VR)
VR technologies, through their array of sensors, generate and process vast amounts of data concerning users and their environments. This data encompasses biometric information, behavioural patterns, and interaction data within the VR ecosystem. The richness and sensitivity of this data pose unique privacy challenges, as they can reveal complex details about users' identities, physiological states, and cognitive processes.
Users are expected to grasp complex privacy agreements and manoeuvre through equally complex privacy settings. This situation is especially troublesome in educational scenarios, where VR tools may be required, offering little flexibility for users to opt-out or effectively manage their privacy concerns. The potential of VR in education is not just about breaking physical barriers. It's about redefining the learning experience. Imagine teleporting your students to the heart of a bustling ancient city or diving deep into the intricacies of human anatomy with nothing more than a headset.
ENCASE - A Framework for Privacy
The ENCASE framework, standing for Engagement, Capture, Assessment, and Enforcement, is a conceptual model that could be derived from the principles outlined in Nissenbaum's work[i]. It is a practical approach for applying the theory of CI[ii], particularly in new technological contexts like virtual reality (VR), social media, and other digital platforms where privacy concerns are prevalent.
Engagement isn't just about bringing stakeholders to the table; it's about weaving the fabric of a diverse and inclusive dialogue on privacy norms and expectations. Imagine educators, students, and VR developers coming together in a town hall, each voice contributing to a shared understanding of what privacy should look like in a virtual classroom.
Capture moves beyond engagement, diving into the complexities of information flows within VR platforms. It's about mapping out the journey of data, from the moment a student enters the virtual space to the interactions that follow. Picture a digital blueprint of data flows, highlighting potential privacy pitfalls and opportunities for safeguarding user information.
Assessment shifts the focus towards evaluating these information flows through the lens of Contextual Integrity (CI). It's about asking the tough questions: Does this data collection align with our established norms? Are we mistakably crossing boundaries? Through this lens, educators and technologists can determine which practices uphold privacy norms and which require re-evaluation.
Enforcement, the final pillar, is where principles are put into practice. It's about translating the insights gained from the earlier phases into actionable policies and technical safeguards. Envision a virtual classroom designed with privacy at its core, where data flows are not just managed but aligned with the educational mission and the privacy expectations of all participants.
Examples of ENCASE in Action
Imagine a VR geography lesson that transports students to the Amazon rainforest. Engagement with the community might reveal concerns about tracking the precise movements of students as they explore. Capture and Assessment would then identify and evaluate these concerns, leading to Enforcement actions like limiting data collection to only what's necessary for educational outcomes, such as engagement levels, while ensuring such data is anonymized and securely stored.
In a VR history class, students might virtually visit historical landmarks. Through the ENCASE framework, developers could work with educators to ensure that conversations within these virtual spaces are encrypted and not stored longer than necessary, respecting the privacy of student discussions as if they were happening in the physical classroom.
A future focused on privacy and innovation
The journey of integrating VR into education, guided by the ENCASE framework, is not just about mitigating risks, it's about fostering a culture of privacy that walks hand in hand with innovation. It's a testament to the idea that educational advancements and privacy can not only coexist but thrive together.
As we stand on the brink of this new educational frontier, let's embrace the possibilities of VR with open arms and a commitment to privacy. Let's create virtual classrooms where learning knows no bounds, and privacy is held in the highest regard. The future of education is not just about where we can take our students, but how we protect their journey along the way.
[i] Helen Nissenbaum's work on CI has inspired various scholars, researchers, and practitioners to develop frameworks and methodologies for assessing and ensuring privacy that respects the norms of particular contexts.
[ii] Contextual Integrity (CI) argues that privacy is not about the mere control of information or secrecy but about the appropriateness of information flows within a given context. According to CI, privacy violations occur when these flows deviate from the accepted norms of a specific context, such as social, cultural, or institutional settings.