Research & third-party funding

Problem and context

The use of the Internet of Things (IoT) in the "smart home" promises consumers greater convenience, safety and efficiency in their everyday lives. To this end, networked sensors are increasingly being used to collect a lot of supposedly simple data - such as humidity, temperature, brightness or movement. These sensors are installed in homes by residents or third parties, or are integrated into household appliances and everyday objects such as smart TVs. In contrast to the risks and implications of smart devices that record video and audio, there is a lack of awareness and understanding of the risks and implications of supposedly simple sensor data for privacy, particularly in public discourse.

Work plan and approach

Together with consumers, Simplications will conduct participatory research into the possible implications of using supposedly simple sensors in the home. We call this combined approach of participatory research and design of educational offers for transfer via civil society organizations Privacy by Co-Design. The partner Anhalt University of Applied Sciences combines the fields of work of the network with a design science and participatory focus in a holistic way and makes the research results, communication with experts and civil society tangible, visually vivid and humanly accessible.

Scientific goals

This closes two gaps: 1) between textually conveyed "scientific knowledge" in scientific papers and the visually conveyed "design knowledge" of good spaces, tools and methods for participation, with and through which participation succeeds in the first place; 2) between the totality of this academic knowledge and science communication to civil society. In the Simplications project, Anhalt University of Applied Sciences offers a creative space of opportunity in which participation between these actors can succeed better.