JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Several technologies process personal data, such as mHealth applications, or smart speakers. Privacy research focuses on the influence of privacy-related issues. However, the understanding of the characteristics of the data (e.g., surveillance vs health data) especially among older adults and the relation to privacy is relatively thin.

Objective:

This study aims to contribute to a better understanding of the trade-offs between user requirements and privacy concerns when using mHealth technology and smart speaker technology and to identify issues that need to be addressed to reduce user concerns.

Methods:

In this qualitative study with semi-structured interviews, 10 participants used a smart speaker, and 10 participants used a mobile health application to determine the influence of privacy on acceptance based on the differences in the processed data.

Results:

The results reveal a resignation among seniors concerning their health data, so that a potential data leak may not influence them at the later stage of their life. Furthermore, smart speakers' privacy concerns were dismissed due to the lack of knowledge about the possible ramification of data abuse. These findings imply to focus more on privacy literacy among elderly adults and suggest barrier-free data protection regulations.

Conclusions:

The authors were able to identify factors that influence the relationship between privacy concerns and risk assessments and validate how older people, in particular, manage their personal data.