Addressing Privacy, Security, and Ethics

Overview

This learning lab came with excellent timing — just before we (myself and 2 AT student workers, Sam JL and Aleks P) started supporting a VR project for Zoe Cinel’s THEA 320 course: Live Performance and Digital Media. I mostly used the safety and accessibility protocols for the class, but there is much more that can be used for future implementation. In this learning lab, we discussed the critical XR security, privacy, safety, and ethical challenges found in Higher Ed.

Learning Outcomes

  • Learn about successful higher education XR initiatives
  • Understand and address key safety, security, and privacy risk areas critical to the implementation of a successful institutional XR strategic plan
  • Analyze which regulatory frameworks impact XR learning experiences, with an emphasis on data privacy and security requirements
  • Review common emerging XR instructional scenarios
  • Learn about organizations and frameworks that seek to advance XR safety and ethics and ways to engage in further advocacy

Learning Sequence 1: Introduction to Compliance, Regulatory, and Privacy Considerations in Higher Education

While immersive 3D learning environments create new and exciting opportunities for engagement, the use of XR technologies and experiences can also raise numerous regulatory concerns (e.g., privacy, accessibility, and federal student aid eligibility requirements). This session discussed how to approach risk mitigation at participants’ institutions as part of implementation plans.

Resources

  • Extended Reality Safety Initiative’s (XRSI) Privacy Framework v. 1.0
    Section 3 of the Extended Reality Safety Initiative’s (XRSI) Privacy Framework v. 1.0. This Section details regulatory considerations for XR implementation in higher education with an emphasis on data privacy and anti-discrimination laws
  • Securing Your Reality: Addressing Security and Privacy in Virtual and Augmented Reality Applications
    Securing Your Reality: Addressing Security and Privacy in Virtual and Augmented Reality Applications. The authors flag several security issues that can arise when integrating XR into educational settings and provide recommendations for mitigating risk.
  • Establishing Privacy Controls for Virtual Reality and Immersive Technology
    Establishing Privacy Controls for Virtual Reality and Immersive Technology. The author provides an overview of existing privacy laws, arguing they may be insufficient in the context of XR, and provides policy recommendations centered around transparency and diversity, equity and inclusion.
  • Regulatory Overview – XR in Higher Education
    Regulatory Overview – XR in Higher Education (from presenter Ricky LaFosse): outlines regulatory compliance considerations for the following areas: Data Privacy and Security; Anti-Discrimination (e.g., ADA, Title IX); Intellectual Property; Negligence; Partnerships; and Distance Education. Note: Not all sections will be relevant, jump ahead to sections of interest.
  • Law, Virtual Reality, and Augmented Reality
    UPenn Law Review article provides an overview of how existing criminal and civil laws may apply in unique ways in XR environments

Learning Sequence 2: Ethics and Safety, Implementation Considerations, and Advocacy

This session focused on safety and implementation considerations/challenges with XR technologies and concluded with an introduction to current advocacy groups, initiatives working on XR security, privacy, and safety (e.g., XRSI, IEEE XR ethics projects, and ITIF).

Resources

Culmination Session

This last session included team presentations with an analysis of their XR instructional scenario’s security, privacy, and safety challenges, which were then followed by a discussion and questions from the larger group. Here is a copy of my team’s presentation slides.