Privacy Awareness and Design for Live Video Broadcasting Apps

Abstract

Many WWW-based live video broadcasting applications (e.g., YouNow, Meerkat, Periscope) do not implement privacy through design. In two studies we gathered information about the current use of such apps, and then designed and tested three prototypes to provide broadcasters with feedback about their viewers and three prototypes to provide mood-based privacy awareness mechanisms. The first study used an anonymous international English language survey to explore the reasons for use, types of use, knowledge, (privacy) concerns of broadcasters, and desired privacy relevant features of broadcasters who currently use these apps. Based on key concerns shown in the first study, the first three prototypes of the second study provided information about who had viewed the location of the broadcaster. The second group of three prototypes automatically demonstrates various visual privacy protection methods based on the self-declared mood of the broadcaster. In the second study, three prototypes were designed to provide broadcasters with feedback about viewers who examined the broadcaster’s location during a broadcast. Through testing we found 86% of respondents said they would install such apps and 48% would use it regularly. Generally, the best solution would provide more information without intruding on the actual broadcaster. Also, three additional prototypes were designed (and tested) to provide mood-based default privacy settings to help hide inappropriate behavior and then experimentally tested. Fifty-seven percent said they would install such apps, but only 47% said they would use them regularly.