Contextual Expectations of Privacy in Self-Generated Health Information Flows
48 Pages Posted: 2 Apr 2013 Last revised: 28 Aug 2013
Date Written: March 30, 2013
Abstract
Converging technological, regulatory, and social forces point to an increasingly personalized, data driven, and collaborative future of health decision-making. A prominent driver of this transition is the ready availability of low-cost, off-the-shelf commercial digital self-monitoring sensors and apps that enable individuals to log broad swaths of highly granular behavioral and physiological health attributes in near real time. Mobile health self-quantification tools, including smart pedometers, calorie counters, heart rate monitors, sleep trackers, and other “participatory personal data” collection devices hold great promise for individuals and for the public health, including increased bodily awareness, proactive health engagement, and community building. Their commercial implementation also raises significant privacy and security issues that warrant close attention.
Keywords: contextual privacy, mobile health, self-quantification, information flow, social norms
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