Examining Canadian Smart Home Technology Users' Perceptions of Privacy, Risks, Safety, and Data Collection Purposes:...

Smart home technologies (SHTs) encompass internet-connected interfaces, sensors, monitors, devices, and appliances, which are networked together to allow for automation. They can facilitate tasks, such as taking medication or issuing fall alerts, and can control the home environment, such as by automating lighting. Their widespread use comes with concerns about power imbalances between users, technology companies, marketers, and state actors regarding data collection, its use and disclosure, and security issues, such as the potential for data breaches. SHT acceptance and adoption are shaped by user attitudes and trust, so understanding these factors is critical. A scoping review conducted by several authors of this paper explored user perceptions of SHTs and identified 4 key themes related to user attitudes: privacy concerns, knowledge of data collection, perceived risks and benefits, and perceived safety. Of the included studies in the review, none explored Canadian SHT users' attitudes. Thus, little is known about how Canadians perceive and understand the privacy, data collection, and safety elements of their SHTs. Given Canada's unique demographic diversity and distinct context, examining Canadian perspectives is necessary for advancing this body of research.

This study explored users' perceptions of SHTs in Canada, with a focus on privacy, the purpose of data collection, risks, and safety.

An online survey was distributed across Canada between March 7 and April 24, 2023, to collect self-reported demographic information and users' perceptions of SHT privacy, the purpose of data collection, risks and benefits, and safety associated with SHT use. To be eligible for this study, participants had to (1) be adults aged 18 years or older; (2) live in the community; (3) reside in Canada; (4) use at least one SHT; and (5) be comfortable communicating in English. The quantitative data were exported to SPSS (IBM Corp) and the Python programming language for descriptive analysis.

Self-reported survey data from a total of 881 SHT users were analyzed. Participants reported user mistrust (294/881, 33.4%), uncertainty (281/881, 31.9%), powerlessness (325/881, 36.9%), and digital resignation (232/881, 26.3%) pertaining to their SHT use. Many users displayed a willingness to trade privacy for perceived benefits, such as convenience, and some highlighted safety as a beneficial feature of SHTs. Contrary to previous internet or smart home research, most participants reported having read their SHT terms of use documents during setup.

As the largest national survey of its kind in Canada, this study reveals a complex relationship between Canadians and SHTs, in which privacy concerns coexist with a desire for convenience and safety. These results highlight the need for greater transparency and trust-building measures in SHT design and policy. Understanding users' perceptions is essential for developing technologies and user-centered frameworks that better align with their values and expectations in Canada's diverse context.