With the release of the Xbox One on November 22, it is not surprising that parents are planning to pre-order or purchase the game console for their children. Although this update console seems like a harmless purchase Xbox One includes updating a feature called Kinect that can be unknowingly invade your privacy and that of your child.
What Kinect for Xbox One
The Kinect function was presented to the console of the previous generation of Microsoft - Xbox 360 - as an external camera that is designed to capture body movement in order to create a more feature active play. This innovative technology has allowed your body to be remote because the Kinect camera tracking your every move.
Xbox One Microsoft
The updated version of Kinect included with the Xbox One takes the original Kinect to the next level, not only including a function motion tracking updated, but also enhanced the voice and vision functionality. Real movement Kinect is the first update feature included with the Xbox One. This function allows the camera to track the movements of the user. These gestures can be as large as sitting in a chair with something as small as a handshake, according to the Microsoft Web site. The second feature Kinect update is Real Vision, which includes a greater line of sight than the previous Kinect, an infrared camera to see you in the dark and a 3-D geometry that is able to tell if the user held off balance sheet. This feature also allows the Kinect to recognize the user with facial recognition. Finally, the update includes Kinect Real Voice, which allows the console to recognize and take one voice while allowing the user to sort through the Xbox One menus and applications with their voice.
How Xbox could invade your privacy?
There are two main ways of Xbox One could invade your privacy and two of them involve the Kinect. The first is through it is updating the camera features, sound and movement. Unlike the Xbox 360, Xbox One users not be able to disable or turn off the camera feature, which means that it could be technically track your activity at any time the console is turned on. The Kinect for the previous generation of consoles had the opportunity to record the user themselves as they played certain parts of a game like Kinect Sports for Xbox 360. It is unclear what happens to the recorded video after it has been read to the user. It will not be clear whether the Xbox One will have the same function with one of the new games until they are released and reviewed.
The second possible invasion of privacy that the Xbox One arises through the feature Real Voice of Kinect. In addition to performing the functions described above, this update feature also allows the Xbox a cable control their voice user. To enable this feature, Xbox One users or their parents will be required to provide cable information for Microsoft. As he does not know what Microsoft Information cable required, it is better for parents to read the terms and conditions of this feature before providing their information to their Xbox One.
If you buy the Xbox One?
Although Kinect for Xbox One may raise some valid issues of confidentiality, it is ultimately up to you to decide whether you want to buy the console. If the Kinect update included with the Xbox One worries you, then you might want to consider purchasing the photo-less device Playstation 4. Whichever system you buy, you are advised to read the terms and conditions of the console and its features to learn what information you or your child gives up Microsoft or Sony.
Visit our identity theft protection blog to learn more about your private information and your child.