The HandyTech's Coming between 1 and 4: Privacy Opportunities and Challenges for the IoT Handyperson

Denise Anthony, Carl A. Gunter, Weijia He, Mounib Khanafer, Susan Landau, Ravindra Mangar, Nathan Reitinger

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

Smart homes are gaining popularity due to their convenience and efficiency, both of which come at the expense of increased complexity of Internet of Things (IoT) devices. Due to the number and heterogeneity of IoT devices, technologically inexperienced or time-burdened residents are unlikely to manage the setup and maintenance of IoT apps and devices. We highlight the need for a "HandyTech": a technically skilled contractor who can set up, repair, debug, monitor, and troubleshoot home IoT systems. In this paper, we consider the potential privacy challenges posed by the HandyTech, who has the ability to access IoT devices and private data. We do so in the context of single and multi-user smart homes, including rental units, condominiums, and temporary guests or workers. We examine the privacy harms that can arise when a HandyTech has legitimate access to information, but uses it in unintended ways. By providing insights for the development of privacy control policies and measures in-home IoT environments in the presence of the HandyTech, we capture the privacy concerns raised by other visitors to the home, including temporary residents, part-time workers, etc. This helps lay a foundation for the broad set of privacy concerns raised by home IoT systems.

Original languageAmerican English
Title of host publicationWPES 2023 - Proceedings of the 22nd Workshop on Privacy in the Electronic Society
PublisherAssociation for Computing Machinery, Inc
Pages129-134
Number of pages6
ISBN (Electronic)9798400702358
DOIs
StatePublished - 26 Nov 2023
Event22nd Workshop on Privacy in the Electronic Society, WPES 2023 - Copenhagen, Denmark
Duration: 26 Nov 2023 → …

Publication series

NameWPES 2023 - Proceedings of the 22nd Workshop on Privacy in the Electronic Society

Conference

Conference22nd Workshop on Privacy in the Electronic Society, WPES 2023
Country/TerritoryDenmark
CityCopenhagen
Period26/11/23 → …

Keywords

  • home iot
  • iot
  • iot handyperson
  • privacy harms

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