US Senator Writes Letter to Oculus Over Rift Privacy Concerns

The Oculus Rift's privacy policy caused some concern in regards to the data it collects. The virtual reality company responded to the concerns this week, and now, a US senator wants to find out how exactly Oculus uses the collected data (via Engadget).

US Senator Al Franken sent a letter to Oculus CEO Brendan Iribe, asking him for more information on both the Rift and "the company's collection, storage, and sharing of users' personal data."

"I believe Americans have a fundamental right to privacy, and that right includes an individual's access to information about what data are being collected about them, how the data are being treated, and with whom the data are being shared," he wrote. "As virtual reality technology evolves, I ask that you provide more information on Rift and how Oculus is addressing issues of privacy and security."

Franken notes that Oculus using and sharing the collected information "may enhance consumers' virtual reality experience," but it must be done in a way where American citizens' private information is protected.

The letter includes six questions that revolve around the information, how it's used, and how Oculus protects it. Iribe has until May 13 to respond.

You can read the letter in full right here.

Oculus gave a statement to UploadVR this week that clarified some of the data usage.

"Facebook owns Oculus and helps run some Oculus services, such as elements of our infrastructure, but we're not sharing information with Facebook at this time," the company explained. "We don't have advertising yet and Facebook is not using Oculus data for advertising."

Despite not sharing information with Facebook now, Oculus says it's something it "may consider in the future."