Cathay Pacific Has Put Surveillance Cameras On Its Planes To Monitor Passengers

Cathay Pacific has revealed that it monitors its passengers via cameras installed onboard its aircrafts, stirring concerns over travelers’ privacy.

The Hong Kong flag carrier said that CCTV cameras placed around planes capture footages intended for security purposes.

In an updated privacy policy released at the end of July, the airline informed its passengers that it will be collecting information on their itineraries, purchase of duty free items, travel companions, usage of in-flight entertainment and other activities while onboard its aircraft.

The privacy statement revealed the collected data is shared with third party groups, which include hotel and travel operators for marketing purposes. The data is also used for legal and administrative purposes.

The airline, consistently named one of the world’s best, said the personal data of its passengers are stored on secure servers, but it cannot guarantee that these will be secured from intrusion.

In 2018, the personal data of about nine million Cathay passengers was potentially leaked because of data breach.

The airline also set up cameras at its airport lounges, but assured there are no CCTV cameras in the lavatories on in their in-flight entertainment systems (IFEs).

"In line with standard practice and to protect our customers and frontline staff, there are CCTV cameras installed in our airport lounges and onboard aircraft (one camera, positioned near the cockpit door) for security purposes," a Cathay Pacific spokesperson told CNN Travel.

"All images are handled sensitively with strict access controls. There are no CCTV cameras installed in the lavatories."

Cathay’s announcement comes just months after it was revealed that several airlines have cameras installed on their entertainment systems.

Singapore Airlines admitted that its newer inflight entertainment systems come with an embedded camera, albeit it said the cameras are not activated.

Panasonic Avionics, which supplies IFE for many of the major airlines, has earlier announced it added cameras onto seat backs and partnered with Tascent, a biometrics and identity innovation company.

"The companies will combine Tascent's biometric identity devices, software and services with Panasonic Avionic Corporation's in-flight entertainment and communications systems to provide streamlined, easy-to-use identity recognition before departure, during flight and upon arrival," Panasonic said in a press release.