CONNECTED HOMES, DIVERGENT PERSPECTIVES: ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS OF DIGITAL SURVEILLANCE AND PRIVACY IN THE SMART HOME ECOSYSTEMS OF SINGAPORE

Abstract

The rapid advancement of the Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Machine Learning (ML) has revolutionised the concept of smart homes, turning what used to only appear in science fiction films into reality. As Singapore moves towards a smart nation, the increased adoption of smart home technologies raises many ethical questions particularly regarding privacy and security. While the literature on the ethical implications of smart home adoption is established, there seems to be a limited amount of formal research conducted in the context of Singapore, despite its unique cultural and regulatory framework. This research attempts to fill the gap using an exploratory approach. Semi-structured interviews were conducted among 22 participants aged 21 – 50 years. This research found that Singaporeans tend to exhibit an “I have nothing to hide” mentality, often being willing to exchange privacy for convenience. With regard to the smart home technology adoption rate, trust in government and brand recognition emerged as key factors. There is also a notable preference for established brands over unknown or foreign alternatives. Cultural and regulatory elements were also discussed, with findings indicating a trend of the normalisation of surveillance and a willingness to accept surveillance capitalism if physical safety is not compromised.