SpotiView: Partial Face Display Method for Smooth Communication While Protecting Privacy

In videoconferencing platforms like Zoom and Microsoft Teams, many participants refrain from showing their faces due to privacy concerns or a lack of confidence in their appearance. This leads to a reduction in the transmission of non-verbal information conveyed through facial expressions. To address this, we propose SpotiView, a partial face display method that protects privacy while enhancing communication. By showing only key facial areas like the eyes or mouth, and adjusting the size and blurring, SpotiView effectively conveys non-verbal cues while maintaining privacy. Seamlessly integrated into major videoconferencing tools, the system allows instant changes to visible facial parts using a virtual camera. We conducted a user questionnaire to evaluate whether the partial display of the face can support smooth communication while maintaining privacy. The results indicate that displaying only the eyes is as comfortable as using an avatar and that partial display supports turn-taking in conversations more effectively than Cam OFF or avatar display. Thus, partial face display offers a novel approach to optimally combining the benefits of Cam ON and Cam OFF modes, catering to the diverse needs of videoconferencing.