Virtual reality (VR) technologies have never been more accessible. The utopian vision of accessibility is that it has a democratizing effect; however, when companies monetize their technology, the trade-off is often privacy. 

Biometric data collection by companies and governments is on the rise, and adverse effects of “filter bubbles” that prey upon negative emotional responses also continue to afflict society. As an increasingly mainstream technological medium, VR is already used as a tool towards these ends, and Meta has gone on record indicating their data extraction-based business model will not change. Is there time to intervene? What would intervention look like at the point of policy, and at the point of design?

Join us for a panel discussion about current trends and concerns in data privacy policy as it relates to VR and extended reality (XR) technologies. This panel brings together diverse perspectives on data privacy policy and liberatory digital systems. We’ll talk about recent developments in U.S. privacy policy as it pertains to biometric data collection, and implications for VR moving forward. 

Panelists include:

• Payton Croskey, Ida B. Wells Just Data Lab
• Jennifer Grayburn, Princeton University Library
• Mihir Kshirsagar, Center for Information Technology Policy 

This event is free and open to the public. Registration isn’t required, but if you’d like to receive a digital reminder of this event, please register below.

Hosted by the Princeton University Library and co-sponsored by the Center for Information Technology Policy (CITP)

Before the panel, join us for a convention-style VR Expo in Princeton University Library’s Collaboration Hub (located in the Engineering Library) from 2:00pm - 4:30pm. Researchers from Neuroscience, Art & Archeology, Architecture, Civil & Environmental Engineering, Operations Research, and other disciplines will be available to talk about their current VR projects and demo their programs in a walk-through style showcase. VR equipment from the PUL Makerspace and Stokes Library will also be available for visitors to try out and explore. Everyone is welcome (no VR experience required!) and light refreshments will be provided.