Understanding Privacy Awareness in Immersive Spatial Sharing System

With the advancement of point cloud collection technology and high-performance computing, immersive remote spatial sharing systems that enhance caregiving and family interaction are highly anticipated. In particular, advanced spatial sharing systems are being developed to scan and merge each other's spaces into a virtual environment. However, this new form of interaction may raise privacy concerns distinct from those associated with traditional telephone or video conferencing. In this study, we investigated the privacy concerns arising from highly immersive spatial sharing systems. We developed a spatial sharing system consisting of multiple depth cameras and servers designed for use in two or more remote locations. Each location's surrounding environments and objects are captured and represented as point clouds, then mapped into a shared virtual space. Thirty-nine participants attended an experience session on the spatial sharing system and responded to a questionnaire. The survey collected information on privacy awareness during the use of the spatial sharing system, the quality of the system's equipment and interactions, and some basic user attributes. Additionally, it inquired how users' awareness changes when some parts of the space related to subjective privacy are modified. Furthermore, data was segmented into clusters based on age group and gender, and statistical tests were conducted between two groups within each cluster. The results showed several statistically significant differences, including differences in privacy awareness and the usefulness of the proposed spatial sharing system.