Guidelines for Responsible Smart Home Development

The proliferation of smart home technology has the potential to enhance the quality of life for individuals and families, as well as for mitigating larger societal challenges, such as those of sustainability, safety, and energy efficiency. However, it also raises concerns about potential risks and unintended consequences, primarily those that pertain to security and privacy. Despite ongoing discussions by experts and the wider research community, there is a lack of consensus and expertise on addressing these issues in an efficient, unanimous, and foremost responsible way. This paper takes its starting point from the center of the issue, i.e., the ethics that underlie the provision of the products and services intended for smart homes. It subsequently proposes guidelines for the responsible development of smart home technologies. These guidelines offer specific considerations tailored to the unique characteristics of the smart home, providing developers and businesses with a foundation to prioritize responsible technology usage in the ever so personal and private home environment. By adhering to these guidelines, stakeholders can establish a solid foundation for ethical deci-sion-making and ensure the responsible integration of technology in smart homes.