Exploring individual privacy concerns in mixed reality use situations : A qualitative study

Sammanfattning

This Master’s thesis explores the nuanced dimensions of privacy concerns in mixed reality (MR) environments. As MR technologies increasingly integrate into daily life, understanding how individuals perceive and navigate privacy within these contexts becomes crucial. This qualitative study employs semi structured interviews to gather insights from users actively engaged with MR, aiming to identify key privacy issues and the impact of social interactions on privacy dynamics. The research reveals that privacy concerns in MR are influenced by a complex interplay of technology features, user interactions, and contextual settings. Participants ex pressed apprehensions about data security, unauthorized information access, and a lack of control over personal data shared within MR environments. The findings highlight the need for enhanced privacy safeguards and transparent data management practices to foster trust and security in MR applications. This study contributes to the growing discourse on privacy in immersive technologies by providing empirical evidence and proposing recommendations for designing privacy aware MR systems. It aims to inform developers and policy- makers in the development of robust privacy frameworks that align with user expectations and legal standards, thereby enhancing user engagement and trust in MR technology.