According to a media report, Apple Inc. is reportedly in the process of acquiring Brighter AI, a German AI startup specializing in license plate data and facial anonymization. The acquisition is intended to enhance the privacy features of Apple’s mixed reality (MR) headset, Vision Pro. The company is considering leveraging Brighter AI’s technology to reduce the risk of Vision Pro capturing identifiable information in public videos and photos.
While capturing footage with an iPhone typically doesn’t raise privacy concerns, the discreet video recording capability of Apple Vision Pro may raise such concerns. This technology could also prove beneficial in future devices designed to make photo and video capture less conspicuous. The report notes that when using Vision Pro to capture media, a subtle visual cue appears on the front panel.
Brighter AI offers advanced AI technology capable of removing all traces of data without distorting it, making the company particularly attractive for acquisition. The method employed by Brighter AI maintains subjects’ natural appearance while ensuring their anonymity.
Apple officially launched Vision Pro in the US on February 2, with prices starting at USD 3,500. The tech giant has also announced the availability of more than 600 apps and games designed specifically for the Apple Vision Pro headset.
