Privacy Factors in Video-Based Media Spaces

Abstract

Media space research is accompanied by a long-standing debate on the value of awareness leading to casual interaction vs. its potential for intended or unintended privacy invasion. This is not just a matter of technology: the trade-off between the two depends very much on the social makeup of the people using the space, how cameras are actually situated, the kinds of activities that typically happen in the space, and so on. This chapter offers a framework-a descriptive theory-that defines how one can think of privacy while analyzing media spaces and their expected or actual use. The framework outlines existing perspectives on privacy and then decomposes privacy into three normative controls for regulating interpersonal boundaries in an embodied dialectic: solitude, confidentiality and autonomy. By considering the nuances of these controls, this theory yields a powerful vocabulary of terms that disambiguate the many interrelated and subtle meanings of "privacy."

Sharing Domestic Life through Long-Term Video Connections

“…One notably theory of privacy in video media spaces, articulated by Boyle et al [2009], explored three interrelated privacy components as a part of media space design and usage: solitude, confidentiality, and autonomy. Solitude involves having control over one's interactions and, in particular, being able to choose when to interact [Boyle et al 2009]. In media space usage, coworkers could work to mitigate solitude intrusions by attempting to determine one's availability through the video link prior to moving into interactions.…”

“…Yet solitude violations still occurred from time to time [Dourish 1993]. Confidentiality focuses on control over what others know about oneself [Boyle et al 2009]. This relates to challenges about how one looks on camera, how one's environment appears, and if sensitive information may be visible.…”

“…For example, at times, certain individuals do not always feel comfortable being captured on camera because they are concerned about their own appearance [Neustaedter andGreenberg, 2003, Boyle et al 2009]. Autonomy involves control over how one interacts in a space and the ability to choose such interaction [Boyle et al 2009]. For example, many media spaces reported situations where visitors may enter one's office.…”

“…Such individuals may be accidentally caught on camera despite their desire to not be publicized [Dourish et al 1996, Boyle et al 2009]. Cameras were also often purposely situated to capture large regions of office spaces to provide a broader context [Dourish et al 1996].…”

“…Some were even aimed at capturing doorways or common areas like hallways [Dourish 1993]. This caused additional privacy concerns around autonomy [Dourish 1993, Boyle et al 2009. Media spaces that were in common areas frequented by large numbers of individuals also raised issues with autonomy where some people may be captured on camera while unbeknownst to them [Boyle et al 2009, Bellotti andDourish 1997].…”