People are increasingly bringing Internet of Things (IoT) devices into their homes without understanding how their data is gathered, processed, and used. We describe PrivacyCube, a novel data physicalization designed to increase privacy awareness within smart home environments. PrivacyCube visualizes IoT data consumption by displaying privacy-related notices. PrivacyCube aims to assist smart home occupants to (i) understand their data privacy better and (ii) have conversations around data management practices of IoT devices used within their homes. Using PrivacyCube, households can learn and make informed privacy decisions collectively. To evaluate PrivacyCube, we used multiple research methods throughout the different stages of design. We first conducted a focus group study in two stages with six participants to compare PrivacyCube to text and state-of-the-art privacy policies. We then deployed PrivacyCube in a 14-day-long field study with eight households. Our results show that PrivacyCube helps home occupants comprehend IoT privacy better with significantly increased privacy awareness at p < .05 (p=0.00041, t= -5.57). Participants preferred PrivacyCube over text privacy policies because it was comprehensive and easier to use. PrivacyCube and Privacy Label, a state-of-the-art approach, both received positive reviews from participants, with PrivacyCube being preferred for its interactivity and ability to encourage conversations. PrivacyCube was also considered by home occupants as a piece of home furniture, encouraging them to socialize and discuss IoT privacy implications using this device.

翻译：随着物联网设备日益普及，人们在将其引入家庭时往往并不了解自身数据如何被收集、处理与使用。本文提出PrivacyCube——一种旨在提升智能家居环境中隐私意识的新型数据物理化装置。该装置通过展示与隐私相关的通知，将物联网数据消耗情况进行可视化呈现。PrivacyCube旨在帮助智能家居用户实现以下目标：(i) 更深入地理解自身数据隐私状况；(ii) 围绕家庭物联网设备的数据管理实践展开讨论。借助PrivacyCube，家庭成员可共同学习并做出知情的隐私决策。为评估该装置，我们在设计各阶段采用了多种研究方法：首先分两个阶段开展焦点小组研究（共六名参与者），将PrivacyCube与文本隐私政策及前沿隐私方案进行对比；随后在八个家庭中开展了为期14天的实地研究。结果显示，PrivacyCube能显著提升家庭用户对物联网隐私的理解（p < .05，p=0.00041，t=-5.57）。参与者认为PrivacyCube比文本隐私政策更全面易用，因而更受青睐。PrivacyCube与前沿方案Privacy Label均获得积极评价，而PrivacyCube因其交互性及促进对话的能力更受偏爱。家庭用户还将PrivacyCube视为家居陈设的一部分，认为其能促进社交互动并引发关于物联网隐私影响的讨论。