Trust Conditions and Privacy Perceptions in the Acceptance of Ambient Technologies for Health-Related Purposes

Abstract

The consequences of an aging society pose one of the major challenges of our time. Technology solutions that alleviate the strain on the overburdened healthcare system can effectively support individuals needing assistance. Still, technology acceptance is a crucial variable in understanding what drives users to utilize such applications. This study examined the role of trust and privacy in the accepted use of ambient technologies for health-related purposes. Using an online survey we collected data from N = 102 respondents. Findings revealed that participants are willing to use ambient technology for health. Benefits and barriers are traded off, whereby the advantages outweigh the perceived barriers. Trust conditions to be fulfilled include data security, technical soundness, and health-related aspects. Having control over personal information results as the most important privacy aspect, followed by the supervision of social contacts. Regression analyses revealed perceived motives and barriers, technical soundness, and health-related trust to be significant predictors of acceptance.