In this ongoing research, we address the trouble of datafication and value extraction of sensitive data in the everyday use of data-driven intimate technologies. By exploring user perceptions, data flows, innovative design methods and disruptive technologies such as the blockchain, we enquire about data life cycles, exploitative behavior and alert to the consequences of data extractivism in relation to ethics, digital safety and human rights.
ONGOING COLLABORATIONS
Dr Maryam Mehrnezhad, Royal Holloway University of London, UK
Dr Mehrnezhad is an expert in cybersecurity and privacy, PI of EPSRC PETRAS UK “Cyber Security and Privacy in Fertility Technologies (CyFer)” (2021-2023) working on cybersecurity and privacy for minority and minoritized users, including the domain of digital women’s health
Dr Kevin Gallagher, NOVA University of Lisbon, Portugal
Dr Gallagher is an expert in data privacy and security and collaborates on research about intimate data and LGBT+
Dr David Matos, INESC-ID, Instituto Superior Técnico, Portugal
Dr. Matos is an expert in distributed systems and collaborates on research exploring blockchain and associated technologies in the field of intimate health, specifically digital contraception
ONGOING RESEARCH
MSc SUPERVISION (Department of Informatics, Instituto Superior Técnico (IST), University of Lisbon)
CyFer: EXHIBITION
CyFer: cybersecurity, privacy, bias, and trust in female-oriented technologies (FemTech) is a research project funded by PETRAS UK (2021-2023).
(July-September 2023) CyFer 360° is the interactive archive of an art-science exhibition that engaged a critical approach to intimate data and the everyday use of data-driven technologies such as period trackers and sex toys. The exhibition was multiplex and included a repository of intimate technologies used in research on data privacy and security, and a series of art commissions that inquired data protection and the many uses of intimate bodily data. This exhibition makes tangible through art the trouble of datafication and value extraction of sensitive data.
CyFer strives to work across domains and engage in academic research, artistic exploration, public outreach, and collaborations with the industry. It aims to have a real-world impact by influencing privacy policy and data protection, while exploring thought-provoking methods and non-traditional expressions and venues for knowledge production.
For detailed information about the project, research team, industry partners, and a full list of outputs including academic and popular science, please see (PI of CyFer) Maryam Mehrnezhad's account here .
PANEL: CONVERSATIONS ON CARE
CONVERSATIONS ON CARE
In October 2022, I moderated a panel titled "Conversations on Care" at the Nordic Human-Computer Interaction Conference (NordiCHI '22) in Aarhus, Denmark.
PUBLICATIONS & PRESENTATIONS
PUBLICATION
Intimate Data: Exploring Perceptions of Privacy and Privacy-Seeking Behaviors through the Story Completion Method
In September 2023, Diana P. Moniz (Master's student at IST) presented "Intimate Data: Exploring Perceptions of Privacy and Privacy-Seeking Behaviors through the Story Completion Method" at the International Conference IFIP INTERACT 2023, York UK. See video presentation.
Authors: Diana P. Moniz, Maryam Mehrnezhad, Teresa Almeida
View/Download the paper here.
PUBLICATION
"My sex-related data is more sensitive than my financial data and I want the same level of security and privacy": User Risk Perceptions and Protective Actions
In October 2023, Maryam Mehrnezhad presented ""My sex-related data is more sensitive than my financial data and I want the same level of security and privacy": User Risk Perceptions and Protective Actions" at the 2023 European Symposium on Usable Security (EuroUSEC '23) in Copenhagen, Denmark.
Authors: Maryam Mehrnezhad and Teresa Almeida
View/Download the paper here.
PRESENTATION
CyberMi2 Research Day
In July 2023, I presented at CyberMi2 (Cybersecurity and Privacy for Minority and Minoritized People) invite-only event that took place on the 20th of June 2023 at RHUL UK. The focus was security and privacy (SP) and minority and minoritized users. This event was the first of the annual series organized by Maryam Mehrnezhad and celebrated the end of the CyFer project.
View the CyberMi2 agenda here.
PUBLICATION
Bodies Like Yours: Bodies Like Yours: Enquiring Data Privacy in FemTech
In October 2022, I presented "Bodies Like Yours: Bodies Like Yours: Enquiring Data Privacy in FemTech" at the Nordic Human-Computer Interaction Conference (NordiCHI '22) in Aarhus, Denmark.
Authors: Teresa Almeida, Laura Shipp, Maryam Mehrnezhad, and Ehsan Toreini
View/Download the paper here.
PUBLICATION
Vision: Too Little too Late? Do the Risks of FemTech already Outweigh the Benefits?
In September 2022, Maryam Mehrnezhad presented "Vision: Too Little too Late? Do the Risks of FemTech already Outweigh the Benefits?" at the 2022 European Symposium on Usable Security (EuroUSEC '22) in Karlsruhe, Germany.
Authors: Maryam Mehrnezhad, Laura Shipp, Teresa Almeida, and Ehsan Toreini.
View/Download the paper here.
PUBLICATION
Caring for Intimate Data in Fertility Technologies
In May 2021, Maryam Mehrnezhad presented "Caring for Intimate Data in Fertility Technologies" at the ACM CHI: CHI '21 Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems. See video teaser.
Authors: Maryam Mehrnezhad and Teresa Almeida
View/Download the paper here.
This research received extensive press coverage and was invited to presented at Fertility Conference 2022, the 15th joint fertility meeting organised by the Association of Reproductive and Clinical Scientists (ARCS), the British Fertility Society (BFS) and the Society for Reproduction and Fertility (SRF).
This work is supported by the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 952226, project BIG (Enhancing the research and innovation potential of Tecnico through Blockchain technologies and design Innovation for social Good)