Using Pictograms to Make Privacy Agreements More Accessible

Background: Privacy agreements can foster trust between users and data collecting entities by reducing the fear of data sharing. Users typically identify concerns with their data privacy settings, especially when it comes to health data, but due to the complexity and length of privacy agreements, users opt to quickly consent and agree to the terms without fully understanding them. Objective: This study explores the use of pictograms as potential elements to assist in improving the transparency and explanation of privacy agreements. Methods: During the development of the pictograms, the Double Diamond design process was applied for 3 instances of user interactions and 3 iterations of pictograms. The testing was done by performing a comparative study between a control group, which received a fictional privacy agreement about a health tracking wearable with no pictograms, and an experimental group, which received pictograms. The pictograms were individually tested to assess their efficacy by using an estimated comprehension of information symbols test.