Some thoughts on new kinds of apps and privacy issues in the context of sensor networks. Presented at Microsoft Faculty Summit 2007.

1. Applications and Privacy
Issues with Sensor Nets
Jason Hong
Carnegie Mellon University

2. Some Applications
• 911.net
– Rapidly deployable sensor net for firefighters
– Rapid response when an individual in danger
• Families
– Am I leaving with everything I came with?
• Personal motivation
– Help me be more green / more active
– Combine with social web sites (FootPrints)
• Smart Homes
– Home monitoring of elderly (CMU QoLT)
– Just moved, where’s my stuff?
– Drunk again?

3. Privacy and Sensor Nets
• Two separate notions
– Privacy with respect to owners of sensor net vs users
• For owners:
– Transparency and accountability
– Privacy policies
– Protection at physical layer for plausible deniability
• For users:
– “Did you get there safely?” vs “Where are you?”
– Pessimistic vs optimistic privacy
• Will we trade privacy for safety, fairness, public good?

4. Other Issues to Consider
• How do mobile phones fit in?
– Are people part of sensor nets too? (Gawker Stalker)
• What is the deployment model / business model?
– Home Depot model? Paid service? Public city infrastructure?
• How to maximize public good?
– Small percentage with Lojack decreases overall car thefts
• What is the user interaction like?
– Is it working? Broken? Dead batteries everywhere?
– Don’t forget sense of play (De-Tour Guide)
– Need rapid prototyping tools to assess utility before deploy
– Please, no more smart fridges!!!