Ethics Emerging: the Story of Privacy and Security Perceptions in Virtual Reality

This paper explores the security and privacy risks in virtual reality (VR) through a mixed-methods study involving interviews, surveys, and ethics co-design with developers.

Overview

Authors: Devon Adams, Alseny Bah, Catherine Barwulor, Nureli Musaby, Kadeem Pitkin, Elissa M. Redmiles

Publication Date: 12 August 2018

Link: https://www.usenix.org/system/files/conference/soups2018/soups2018-adams.pdf

Keywords: virtual crimes, emotional harm, data sensitivity, user surveillance, ethical design, digital identity, mixed-methods research, code of ethics, online safety, cyber threats

Type: Articles/Reports

Summary

This paper explores the security and privacy risks in virtual reality (VR) through a mixed-methods study involving interviews, surveys, and ethics co-design with developers. It highlights concerns regarding the sensitivity of user data and the emotional harm caused by virtual crimes. The study emphasizes the need for developers to address these risks and introduces a "code of ethics" for VR development to ensure safer user experiences.