Advocating for Users' Privacy Protections: A Case study of COVID-19 apps

Tanusree Sharma, Tian Wang, Masooda Bashir

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

Mobile apps are being utilized in different regions around the world for contract tracing during this COVID-19 pandemic and many of these apps require personal information to be shared. The COVID-19 crisis has demonstrated how critical it is that we embrace virus-response opportunities given to us through technology, but we should also keep in mind that while we use these novel technologies to combat the pandemic, we must also ensure that users' privacy and security is contained. Therefore, in this project we assessed privacy controls that are offered in COVID-19 apps and what users are identifying to be their preferences if they were to adopt a COVID-19 app. Our results show that while the majority of the apps did not provide adequate privacy controls, users do consider these to be important factors in their decision making. In addition, we believe our preliminary findings can provide foundation for inclusive privacy features that is human-centered.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationExtended Abstracts - 22nd International Conference on Human-Computer Interaction with Mobile Devices and Services
Subtitle of host publicationExpanding the Horizon of Mobile Interaction, MobileHCI 2020
PublisherAssociation for Computing Machinery
ISBN (Electronic)9781450380522
DOIs
StatePublished - May 10 2020
Event22nd International Conference on Human-Computer Interaction with Mobile Devices and Services: Expanding the Horizon of Mobile Interaction, MobileHCI 2020 - Virtual, Online, Germany
Duration: Oct 5 2020Oct 9 2020

Publication series

NameExtended Abstracts - 22nd International Conference on Human-Computer Interaction with Mobile Devices and Services: Expanding the Horizon of Mobile Interaction, MobileHCI 2020

Conference

Conference22nd International Conference on Human-Computer Interaction with Mobile Devices and Services: Expanding the Horizon of Mobile Interaction, MobileHCI 2020
Country/TerritoryGermany
CityVirtual, Online
Period10/5/2010/9/20

Keywords

  • Human-Centered Design
  • Mobile apps
  • Privacy
  • Security
  • Trust

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Computer Networks and Communications
  • Human-Computer Interaction
  • Information Systems
  • Software

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