Beyond digital privacy: Uncovering deeper attitudes toward privacy in cameras among older adults

Abstract

Fall detection cameras at home can detect emergencies of older adults and send timely life-saving alerts. However, the equilibrium between privacy protection and life safety remains a controversial issue when using cameras. In this study, we assessed the attitudes of older adults towards the privacy issue of cameras using surveys (N=389) and interviews (N=20). Furthermore, we conducted a co-design workshop (N=6) in which older adults and designers collaborated to develop a prototype of cameras. We found that for older adults, the disclosure of privacy not only involves a leakage of personal information, but also influences their dignity and control, which has rarely been expressed directly in the past. Our results expand the conceptualisation of privacy and provide novel design implications for smart product development on privacy for older adults.