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Design+ Meaningful digital consent: A VSD study

Figure 1. Conceptual investigation: Framework for identifying values that conceptualize meaningful consent

and creative digital processes. Moreover, the guidelines designed to help understand rather than distract. Consent
ask organizations to consider the consumer’s perspective, should not be coerced in the process of making a choice
calling for a human-centered design approach to align nor by an individual’s abilities.
notices to user needs. This paper reports on the empirical and technical
Considering the consumer’s perspective also speaks investigations to provide a greater understanding of
to the value of universal usability, defined by Friedman these values. An empirical investigation examined the
and Hendry as “making all people successful users of experiences, perceptions, and behaviors of individuals
information technology.” 17(p28) This definition implies both and groups affected by the technology (e.g., notice).
equality and equity. In terms of comprehension, this means The technical investigation focused on how technology
that everyone should understand the material the same supports or undermines identified values, exploring the
way (equality). However, this value also aligns this concept affordances and limitations of specific technical designs.
with competence. This means that equity considerations Using this approach, this study asks the following research
should be made for any physical, mental, and/or emotional questions:
limitations of the individual. (i) What values are most important to consider when
designing privacy notices? (Empirical)
The last value is privacy (informational) and is based on (ii) What are the values and value tensions in innovative
Westin’s definition as the “claim of individuals, groups, or privacy notice designs? (Technical).
institutions to determine for themselves when, how, and to
what extent information about them is communicated to 3. Methods
others.” 29(p7) This value is at the heart of consent, where there This VSD study is part of a broader study at the Centre
is a voluntary agreement to share data with another party. The for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) and was
OPC calls for clear “yes” or “no” options and dynamic consent. applied in the context of the Hope by CAMH app. The
The dimension of minimal distraction cross-cuts all Hope app supports suicide safety planning for individuals
values. Information should be absent from manipulation, in the community who are at risk, providing them with

Volume 2 Issue 2 (2025) 4 doi: 10.36922/dp.8158