Usability analysis of shared device ecosystem security: informing support for survivors of IoT-facilitated tech-abuse

Usability analysis of shared device ecosystem security: informing support for survivors of IoT-facilitated tech-abuse

연구 분야: Analysis

학회: NSPW '19: Proceedings of the New Security Paradigms Workshop

The use of Internet of Things (IoT) devices is an emerging trend for citizens. These devices may have implications for the security of various areas of life; for survivors of technology-facilitated domestic abuse and violence (tech-abuse), a shared ecosystem of IoT devices poses new risks. Here we develop a novel adaptation of `heuristic walkthrough' usability assessment, applying it to two readily available families of consumer smart assistant devices (Amazon Echo and Google Home). The paradigm underpinning the method considers the shared device ecosystem, and the potential threats to a person sharing smart devices with another. Prior tech abuse research informed the design of 11 tasks representing different phases of potential IoT tech-abuse. Phenomena produced by the tasks were assessed across well-defined design heuristics. Assessment was from both primary and secondary user perspectives, via a range of service interfaces (such as App, browser interface, and visual device cues). We find that many security-related elements of devices do not present usability problems, including that a secondary user has only a very limited view of the actions of a primary device user. We differentiate between features which delay or block effective use, informing potential areas for developing support solutions. For instance, findings indicate that task feedback and instructions may impact a tech-abuse survivor in an IoT ecosystem. Our results have implications for the definition of usability for concurrent users with differing expectations and needs, especially within a tech-abuse context. Our approach can inform the stakeholder conversations necessary to explore these issues across a range of other IoT devices.