Keeping and Discarding Personal Data: Exploring a Design Space

Today, most technology users have to deal with a growing amount of personal data across many devices and online platforms. There is a growing need for tools that can help people decide more intentionally what data to keep or discard. We created five design concepts in the form of video prototypes to probe on alternative design strategies for supporting users. Automation, aggressiveness, and temporality were key dimensions we explored. We conducted interviews with 16 participants using the concepts as a starting point for discussion. Participants had a range of reactions: some wanted to retain full control over keeping and discarding decisions, while others welcomed more automatic tools. We identify common ground in the need for a contextual and nuanced approach in design. We use these results to outline and reflect on possible future design directions for personalization, automation, new keeping or discarding actions, and privacy.