AR has the potential to transform many aspects of humans, however, AR brings significant ethical challenges and questions with every new technology.
The ethical issues with Augmented Reality technology include:
1. Privacy
AR technology collects vast user data for specific target audiences, raising privacy concerns as consumers may be unaware of the collected information and its usage.
2. Addiction
AR technology has the potential to be immensely addictive, and users could grow so reliant on it that they disregard other elements of their lives. It may impact physical and emotional health, including their relationships with others.
3. Reality disruption
AR technology blurs the border between what is truly real, instead of what is virtual, which can impair our capacity to discern between the two. It can be confusing and chaotic, mainly in dangerous circumstances.
4. Bias and discrimination
In displaying information in a manner that confirms pre-existing opinions and prejudices, AR technology has the potential to spread biases and stereotypes. This can lead to bias and isolation, especially for underprivileged populations.
5. Cybersecurity
Because AR technology is available on wireless networks and cloud-based services, it is subject to hacking and other cybersecurity risks. It puts users’ private data at risk and compromises the security of AR-powered solutions for them.
6. The concept of anonymity and Facial Recognition
AR products can use face recognition for continuous monitoring, which raises privacy issues. For this purpose, free programs make use of picture analysis tools. Computer vision specialists say that facial recognition offers advantages such as locating missing people and protecting endangered species.
7. Side Effects on the Mind and Society
While the direct link between AR and VR and mental health outcomes has not been demonstrated, worries regarding potential social isolation and decentralization are addressed. It might be contributing to the rise in complaints regarding depression and other mental health disorders. On the other hand, persons suffering from PTSD or social anxiety may use VR to ease their worries if done appropriately.
8. False Expectations
Spending excessive time in a virtual environment may lead to erroneous expectations of real life. VR is considered to have already had a significant impact on the adult entertainment business. If exaggerated imaginations become too engaging, they may cause real-life problems. There has been minimal analysis of the impact of AR on individuals, particularly youngsters. If users spend excessive amounts of time using AR technology, it may lead to a rise in psychological disorders such as trouble interacting in the actual world.
9. Manipulation and corruption
Since AR technology is unregulated and lacks a legal framework, consumers have little protection. Corporate companies can employ deceptive advertising or techniques to discourage sales, while face recognition technology may be employed to unjustly accuse and imprison people. The technology’s mistake potential is considerable, as it is not as accurate as users imagine, and the benefits of AR may be abused.
Conclusion
It is crucial to put in place protections that preserve user privacy, encourage responsible AR technology use, and guarantee that the technology is developed and applied in a way that does not support prejudice or discrimination to solve these ethical issues. It is important to guide customers about the benefits and potential drawbacks of augmented reality, or AR.
