Between Extreme Rejection and Cautious Acceptance

  • Authors:
  • Matthias Rothensee;Sarah Spiekermann

  • Affiliations:
  • Humboldt University, Berlin, Germany;Humboldt University, Berlin, Germany

  • Venue:
  • Social Science Computer Review
  • Year:
  • 2008

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Abstract

RFID (radio frequency identification) is one of the mostimportant technologies underlying ambient intelligence. It willenable myriad information services on retailers' shop floors andafter sale. However, embedding chips in everyday products hasstirred a considerable debate about people's privacy. So far it isunclear what the attitudes toward privacy in ambient intelligenceare and whether they will affect the reputation of the retailer andacceptance of RFID-based information services. This articlepresents two empirical studies with 642 participants who saw anintroductory film and subsequently evaluated the technology andpotential privacy protection mechanisms. Results show that peopleare moderately privacy aware and that their privacy awareness isnegatively related to their acceptance of the service. A group of"extreme rejecters" is identified, which hold highly negativeattitudes toward RFID and significantly bias group means. Thecharacteristics of this group are explored and privacy protectionmeasures are evaluated.