I AM WATCHING YOU!!! Irina Shklovski 21-Sep-01

Privacy in Social Spaces The question of privacy is becoming more relevant when the concepts of home and workplace merge. Human requirements of privacy within physical spaces vary with situation. Intrusions into private life have increased with the advent of the Internet and the WWW, and many of our private actions and moments are now closely monitored.

Situationally Appropriate Interaction & Questions of Privacy The system will monitor the user and collect information through various sensors. The system will try to be sensitive to the user’s privacy needs in its information displays. System’s sensors, cameras and LED displays may be seen as synonymous to surveillance equipment, hence eliciting an apprehensive response from users.

I AM WATCHING YOU An observational study – data collection. Social space – office or home office (graduate student office?) Equipment – camera, control software Duration – 24 hrs – 72 hrs – 1 week – 2 weeks – depends?

Option One The camera records unless user turns it off. Software prompts user for feedback before allowing to turn the camera off. The camera can be turned off for a specified period of time. The timer turns the camera back on and notifies the user with a chime.

Option Two – Less Scrutiny Than Promised Participant is lead to believe that the camera and the software is fully functional. The software controls a small red LED on the camera (on/off switch) Software prompts user for feedback when changing camera status and records data.

Experiment Purpose Reasons people give when requesting privacy. Frequency of privacy requests. Habituation to the camera – will they select to turn it off less often with time? How often will they “forget” about the camera.