Privacy-Friendly and Trustworthy Technology for Society

Abstract We have witnessed an increased use of technology in every facet of our lives. These technologies come with great promises, such as enabling more independent living for older adults or people with physical disabilities, yet also fears, for instance, over privacy concerns or trust in automated systems. In this Topical Collection, we focus on Active and Assisted Living (AAL) technologies, which require trustworthiness and adherence to privacy regulations for successful adoption. The Collection contains six selected papers that address themes like privacy-by-design, trust in AI, and balancing privacy with technological innovation under regulations like GDPR and the AI Act. The presented articles emphasize the user-centered, privacy-friendly approaches to AAL designs, robust regulatory frameworks, and interdisciplinary methodologies to ensure ethical, trustworthy technologies.