Smart Home Users' Security and Privacy Perceptions and Actions Differ by Device Category: Results from a U.S. Survey

There are few insights into how users’ perspectives on smart home security and privacy differ depending on device category. This may leave the smart home community at a disadvantage in knowing how to focus user education efforts to address device-specific misunderstandings or concerns. As a result, consumers may remain uninformed or lack motivation to protect some device categories, leaving devices and data vulnerable. Towards closing this gap, we conducted a between-subjects survey of 401 U.S. smart home users with devices in five categories: voice assistants, thermostats, security devices, sensors, and lighting. Participants found voice assistants to be most problematic and were most confident about security devices and thermostats. We also report novel results related to lack of trust of lighting device manufacturers and general comfort with sensor security and privacy. Our identification of differences across device categories can contribute to greater user empowerment through tailored smart home user education materials.