Privacy Beyond Data: Assessment and Mitigation of Privacy Risks in Robotic Technology for Elderly Care

The introduction of robotic technology in the context of elderly care poses new privacy challenges. We conducted a systematic literature review of publications from 2010 to mid-2023, focusing on privacy-related concerns and efforts to resolve privacy conflicts associated with the use of robotic technologies in elderly care. The review is organized into three key discussion points: (a) conceptions of privacy, where we explore the multifaceted and multidimensional nature of privacy, building on Burgoon’s work; (b) privacy concerns, which we categorize using Rueben’s taxonomy of privacy constructs; and (c) mitigation strategies for addressing these concerns. Our analysis reveals that current design practices for robotic technologies in elderly care predominantly emphasize informational aspects of privacy. However, adopting a holistic approach to privacy is more advantageous. To extend privacy protection beyond mere data protection, we develop a framework that matches different mitigation strategies with privacy concerns across the identified dimensions of privacy, recognizing that no single approach is universally applicable across all aspects of privacy. We accomplish this by proposing an integration with existing privacy impact assessments and apply our findings to the design of robotic technology for elderly care.