Airlines admit having cameras installed on back of passengers' seats

Three of the world’s biggest airlines have admitted some of their planes have cameras installed on the backs of passenger seats.

American Airlines, United Airlines and Singapore Airlines have new seat-back entertainment systems that include cameras.

They could also be on planes used by other carriers.

Companies that make the entertainment systems are fitting them with cameras to offer passengers options such as seat-to-seat video conferencing, according to an American Airlines spokesman.

But American, United and Singapore all say they have never activated the cameras and have no plans to use them.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/news/airlines-admit-having-cameras-installed-on-back-of-passengers-seats/ar-BBU0bYq?li=BBnb7Kz

Why have them in the first place then? Are they a standard item on planes now?