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Cathay Pacific has installed cameras inside its airplanes and airport lounges to monitor passengers.
Last July, the Hong Kong-based airline updated its privacy policy, stating that it will be collecting and keeping track of passengers’ personal information. This includes the photos and itinerary of passengers, as well as their use of in-flight entertainment and other activities at the airport. All of the information collected will be stored by the airline indefinitely.
The airline said that its customers’ personal information is kept on secure servers, but it admitted that there is no guarantee that those servers are safe from being hacked.
Last year, the airline’s system was hacked, and the data of around 9.4 million customers were affected. The customers’ physical addresses, passport information, phone numbers, and credit card details were stolen. Hence, the new policy update raised concerns about customer privacy.
To explain, a Cathay Pacific representative said that each aircraft has only one installed CCTV camera, which is located near the area where the pilot sits. The representative added that the airline’s in-flight entertainment systems do not have sensors, cameras, or microphones that monitor passengers.
Cathay Pacific reassured its customers that it will put the data it collected to good use. The airline said that customers’ personal information will be used to improve and personalize its products and services for each passenger. However, Cathay Pacific added that it may disclose any information it collects to its service providers, airline and hotel partners, travel operators, and even the government, if necessary.