PowerCut and obfuscator: An exploration of the design space for privacy-preserving interventions for smart speakers

Varun Chandrasekaran, Suman Banerjee, Bilge Mutlu, Kassem Fawaz

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

Abstract

The pervasive use of smart speakers has raised numerous privacy concerns. While work to date provides an understanding of user perceptions of these threats, limited research focuses on how we can mitigate these concerns, either through redesigning the smart speaker or through dedicated privacy-preserving interventions. In this paper, we present the design and prototyping of two privacy-preserving interventions: 'Obfuscator' targeted at disabling recording at the microphones, and 'PowerCut' targeted at disabling power to the smart speaker. We present our findings from a technology probe study involving 24 households that interacted with our prototypes; the primary objective was to gain a better understanding of the design space for technological interventions that might address these concerns. Our data and findings reveal complex trade-offs among utility, privacy, and usability and stresses the importance of multi-functionality, aesthetics, ease-of-use, and form factor. We discuss the implications of our findings for the development of subsequent interventions and the future design of smart speakers.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationProceedings of the 17th Symposium on Usable Privacy and Security, SOUPS 2021
PublisherUSENIX Association
Pages535-551
Number of pages17
ISBN (Electronic)9781939133250
StatePublished - 2021
Externally publishedYes
Event17th Symposium on Usable Privacy and Security, SOUPS 2021 - Virtual, Online
Duration: Aug 9 2021Aug 10 2021

Publication series

NameProceedings of the 17th Symposium on Usable Privacy and Security, SOUPS 2021

Conference

Conference17th Symposium on Usable Privacy and Security, SOUPS 2021
CityVirtual, Online
Period8/9/218/10/21

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Computer Networks and Communications
  • Safety, Risk, Reliability and Quality

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