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report:eth [2026/05/20 02:06] – [6.4 Liability] team1report:eth [2026/05/20 03:12] (current) – [6.5 Summary] team1
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-=== 6.1.4 Responsible behaviour design ===+=== 6.1.4 Responsible behavior design ===
  
-Responsible behaviour design means creating systems that can influence user actions while still respecting important ethical values such as autonomy and well-being. As digital technologies become more involved in daily life, it is important to make sure that these systems encourage positive habits without limiting users’ freedom to make their own choices.+Responsible behavior design means creating systems that can influence user actions while still respecting important ethical values such as autonomy and well-being. As digital technologies become more involved in daily life, it is important to make sure that these systems encourage positive habits without limiting users’ freedom to make their own choices.
  
  
 == 6.1.4.1 Ethical Persuasion and User Well-being == == 6.1.4.1 Ethical Persuasion and User Well-being ==
  
-Since this system is designed to influence user behaviour, it should avoid persuasive methods that feel manipulative or harmful. Research on persuasive technology shows that systems can raise ethical concerns when they create pressure, exploit users’ weaknesses, or reduce their sense of control [(naomi2020)].+Since this system is designed to influence user behavior, it should avoid persuasive methods that feel manipulative or harmful. Research on persuasive technology shows that systems can raise ethical concerns when they create pressure, exploit users’ weaknesses, or reduce their sense of control [(naomi2020)].
  
 For this reason, the goal of Screen2Green should be to support healthier digital habits in a positive way, rather than making users feel guilty or stressed when they exceed their screen-time limits. A design that creates too much pressure could reduce users’ sense of autonomy and make the system less ethical. For this reason, the goal of Screen2Green should be to support healthier digital habits in a positive way, rather than making users feel guilty or stressed when they exceed their screen-time limits. A design that creates too much pressure could reduce users’ sense of autonomy and make the system less ethical.
  
  
-== 6.1.4.2 Motivation and Behaviour Change ==+== 6.1.4.2 Motivation and Behavior Change ==
  
 This idea is also supported by motivation research. According to the Self-Determination Theory, autonomy is an important psychological need, and people are more likely to stay motivated when they feel that their actions are self-directed [(CSDT)]. This idea is also supported by motivation research. According to the Self-Determination Theory, autonomy is an important psychological need, and people are more likely to stay motivated when they feel that their actions are self-directed [(CSDT)].
  
-This suggests that the system should help users make healthier choices by encouraging awareness and reflection, rather than using strict or controlling methods. Supporting users’ sense of choice can lead to more meaningful and lasting behaviour change.+This suggests that the system should help users make healthier choices by encouraging awareness and reflection, rather than using strict or controlling methods. Supporting users’ sense of choice can lead to more meaningful and lasting behavior change.
  
  
 == 6.1.4.3 System Design Considerations == == 6.1.4.3 System Design Considerations ==
  
-In addition, the system should make sure that any effects on the plant stay within safe biological limits. The plant should never be harmed as part of the behaviour change process. Even if the system is designed to motivate users, plant health must remain a priority.+In addition, the system should make sure that any effects on the plant stay within safe biological limits. The plant should never be harmed as part of the behavior change process. Even if the system is designed to motivate users, plant health must remain a priority.
  
 Although most persuasive technology research focuses on users, designers also have a responsibility to consider the wider effects of the system. In this project, that means making sure that any interaction linked to the plant still allows it to grow in healthy and safe conditions. Although most persuasive technology research focuses on users, designers also have a responsibility to consider the wider effects of the system. In this project, that means making sure that any interaction linked to the plant still allows it to grow in healthy and safe conditions.
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 One of the main concerns is the sensitivity of screen-time data. If this information is accessed without permission, it may reveal users’ routines, habits, and daily schedules. In addition, the system also collects environmental data such as soil moisture, temperature, humidity, and light levels to support plant growth. One of the main concerns is the sensitivity of screen-time data. If this information is accessed without permission, it may reveal users’ routines, habits, and daily schedules. In addition, the system also collects environmental data such as soil moisture, temperature, humidity, and light levels to support plant growth.
  
-Although this environmental data may seem less sensitive, it can still reveal patterns about user behaviour or home occupancy when collected over time. Because of this, the system may be exposed to risks such as unauthorized access, data interception, or manipulation of sensor readings. For example, false soil moisture data could cause incorrect irrigation, which may harm plant health and reduce system reliability [(rodrigo2013)][(luis2019)].+Although this environmental data may seem less sensitive, it can still reveal patterns about user behavior or home occupancy when collected over time. Because of this, the system may be exposed to risks such as unauthorized access, data interception, or manipulation of sensor readings. For example, false soil moisture data could cause incorrect irrigation, which may harm plant health and reduce system reliability [(rodrigo2013)][(luis2019)].
  
 At the same time, improving security in IoT systems is not always simple. Strong encryption can improve protection, but in low-power devices it may also increase energy use and reduce system efficiency. This creates an important trade-off between security and energy consumption, which needs to be considered carefully [(jaewook2017)]. At the same time, improving security in IoT systems is not always simple. Strong encryption can improve protection, but in low-power devices it may also increase energy use and reduce system efficiency. This creates an important trade-off between security and energy consumption, which needs to be considered carefully [(jaewook2017)].
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 Regarding the physical product, the main risks are related to water and electronics. The watering system depends on sensor data, such as soil moisture, to decide when the plant needs water. Soil moisture sensors are commonly used in smart irrigation technology to help decide when irrigation is needed. Therefore, possible failures should be considered from the early design stage. The product should use reliable components, proper testing, waterproof protection, safe watering limits, alerts for abnormal conditions, and a manual override function. These features can help reduce risks and make sure that the plant’s health is not fully dependent on automatic feedback [(justin2017)]. Regarding the physical product, the main risks are related to water and electronics. The watering system depends on sensor data, such as soil moisture, to decide when the plant needs water. Soil moisture sensors are commonly used in smart irrigation technology to help decide when irrigation is needed. Therefore, possible failures should be considered from the early design stage. The product should use reliable components, proper testing, waterproof protection, safe watering limits, alerts for abnormal conditions, and a manual override function. These features can help reduce risks and make sure that the plant’s health is not fully dependent on automatic feedback [(justin2017)].
  
-Liability also includes privacy and data protection. Since Screen2Green may collect screen-time and behavior-related data, users should clearly know what data is collected, why it is needed, how long it is stored, and whether it is shared with third parties. The system should follow GDPR principles such as transparency, purpose limitation, data minimization, and secure processing. Users should also be able to control their data, including requesting deletion when needed [(EC_GDPR)]. If the app uses tracking, analytics, cookies, or similar technologies, the EU ePrivacy Directive should also be considered. This is because these tools may store or read information on the user’s device. Therefore, users should be clearly informed and asked for consent when this kind of tracking is used [(eprivacy2002)].+Liability also includes privacy and data protection. Since Screen2Green may collect screen-time and behavior-related data, users should clearly know what data is collected, why it is needed, how long it is stored, and whether it is shared with third parties. The system should follow GDPR principles such as transparency, purpose limitation, data minimization, and secure processing. Users should also be able to control their data, including requesting deletion when needed [(EC_GDPR)]. If the app uses tracking, analytics, cookies, or similar technologies, the European Union (EU) ePrivacy Directive should also be considered. This is because these tools may store or read information on the user’s device. Therefore, users should be clearly informed and asked for consent when this kind of tracking is used [(eprivacy2002)].
  
 Another important responsibility is the user’s mental well-being. Screen2Green should help users build healthier screen habits, but it should not do this by making them feel guilty or ashamed. The app should avoid stressful notifications, dark patterns, addictive reward loops, and strong failure messages. Dark patterns are a problem because they can steer, deceive, coerce, or manipulate users into choices that are not in their best interest. For example, if the user does not reduce their screen time, the app should not punish the user or make the plant look like it is suffering. A better approach would be to recognize small efforts, suggest a smaller goal, and encourage the user to try again [(OECD_dark)]. Another important responsibility is the user’s mental well-being. Screen2Green should help users build healthier screen habits, but it should not do this by making them feel guilty or ashamed. The app should avoid stressful notifications, dark patterns, addictive reward loops, and strong failure messages. Dark patterns are a problem because they can steer, deceive, coerce, or manipulate users into choices that are not in their best interest. For example, if the user does not reduce their screen time, the app should not punish the user or make the plant look like it is suffering. A better approach would be to recognize small efforts, suggest a smaller goal, and encourage the user to try again [(OECD_dark)].
  
-The product should also keep a clear boundary from medical devices. Screen2Green should be presented as a well-being or lifestyle tool, not as a medical treatment. Claims such as “treats ADHD”, “cures phone addiction”, “improves depression”, or “diagnoses mental health issues” should be avoided because they could make the product seem like a medical solution. Under the EU Medical Device Regulation, software can be included in the definition of a medical device when it is intended for a medical purpose. Safer wording would be “supports mindful phone use”, “encourages healthier screen habits”, or “well-being-oriented focus tool” [(EU_medical2017)].+The product should also keep a clear boundary from medical devices. Screen2Green should be presented as a well-being or lifestyle tool, not as a medical treatment. Claims such as “treats Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder”, “cures phone addiction”, “improves depression”, or “diagnoses mental health issues” should be avoided because they could make the product seem like a medical solution. Under the EU Medical Device Regulation, software can be included in the definition of a medical device when it is intended for a medical purpose. Safer wording would be “supports mindful phone use”, “encourages healthier screen habits”, or “well-being-oriented focus tool” [(EU_medical2017)].
  
 Cybersecurity is also part of liability because the app is connected to a digital device. The system should protect communication between the app and the product, store user data securely, and provide software updates if problems are found. It should also consider possible unauthorized access or security vulnerabilities. The EU Cyber Resilience Act focuses on cybersecurity for hardware and software products with digital elements, including issues such as weak security and lack of timely security updates. This is important because poor cybersecurity could affect both user privacy and the safe operation of the product [(EC_cyber)]. Cybersecurity is also part of liability because the app is connected to a digital device. The system should protect communication between the app and the product, store user data securely, and provide software updates if problems are found. It should also consider possible unauthorized access or security vulnerabilities. The EU Cyber Resilience Act focuses on cybersecurity for hardware and software products with digital elements, including issues such as weak security and lack of timely security updates. This is important because poor cybersecurity could affect both user privacy and the safe operation of the product [(EC_cyber)].
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 Because the plant is part of the feedback system, the team also has responsibility for plant welfare. The system should not use behavior feedback in a way that harms the plant. Manual override and safe watering limits are important because the plant’s health should always be more important than the feedback mechanism. Because the plant is part of the feedback system, the team also has responsibility for plant welfare. The system should not use behavior feedback in a way that harms the plant. Manual override and safe watering limits are important because the plant’s health should always be more important than the feedback mechanism.
  
-Sustainability and accessibility should also be considered as part of responsible product design. Since Screen2Green connects technology with nature, the product should consider repairability, long product lifespan, energy-efficient components, and reduced electronic waste. EU repair policy also supports more sustainable consumption by increasing the repair and reuse of goods. The app should also be easy to use for different users. This includes readable text, enough color contrast, simple onboarding, a calm interface, and not using color as the only way to show important information. WCAG explains that color should not be the only visual way to communicate information [(EC_repair)].+Sustainability and accessibility should also be considered as part of responsible product design. Since Screen2Green connects technology with nature, the product should consider repairability, long product lifespan, energy-efficient components, and reduced electronic waste. EU repair policy also supports more sustainable consumption by increasing the repair and reuse of goods [(EC_repair)]. The app should also be easy to use for different users. This includes readable text, enough color contrast, simple onboarding, a calm interface, and not using color as the only way to show important information. Web Content Accessibility Guidelines explain that color should not be the only visual way to communicate information [(WAI2025)].
  
 Overall, liability in Screen2Green means reducing possible risks through safe design, clear communication, responsible data handling, cybersecurity, and ethical feedback. The product should support healthier screen habits without manipulation or punishment, while also protecting the user, the plant, and the product itself. Overall, liability in Screen2Green means reducing possible risks through safe design, clear communication, responsible data handling, cybersecurity, and ethical feedback. The product should support healthier screen habits without manipulation or punishment, while also protecting the user, the plant, and the product itself.
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 ==== 6.5 Summary ==== ==== 6.5 Summary ====
  
-This chapter looked at the main ethical and deontological issues related to Screen2Green, such as safety, user privacy, behaviour design, environmental impact, plant welfare, and liability. Through this analysis, the team understood that the system should not only work properly, but also be safe, clear to users, and responsible in the way it affects both people and plants.+This chapter looked at the main ethical and deontological issues related to Screen2Green, such as safety, user privacy, behavior design, environmental impact, plant welfare, and liability. Through this analysis, the team understood that the system should not only work properly, but also be safe, clear to users, and responsible in the way it affects both people and plants.
  
 Based on this ethical and deontological analysis, the team chose a modular design with simple monitoring components, a soil moisture sensor, an ESP32 microcontroller, a controlled watering system, waterproof protection, and low-cost recyclable materials. These choices were made to reduce possible risks, protect plant health, support responsible data use, and make the product easier to maintain. Based on this ethical and deontological analysis, the team chose a modular design with simple monitoring components, a soil moisture sensor, an ESP32 microcontroller, a controlled watering system, waterproof protection, and low-cost recyclable materials. These choices were made to reduce possible risks, protect plant health, support responsible data use, and make the product easier to maintain.
  
-Consequently, the team decided to include features such as safe watering limits, basic fail-safe protection, clear user information, modular parts, and behaviour feedback that supports users without creating pressure. These features help make the system safer, easier to use, and more suitable for daily use.+Consequently, the team decided to include features such as safe watering limits, basic fail-safe protection, clear user information, modular parts, and behavior feedback that supports users without creating pressure. These features help make the system safer, easier to use, and more suitable for daily use.
  
 This chapter also helped guide the team’s technical decisions and gives a clear basis for the next chapter, which explains how these ideas were applied in the system design and development process. This chapter also helped guide the team’s technical decisions and gives a clear basis for the next chapter, which explains how these ideas were applied in the system design and development process.
  
  
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