Visualizing
complexity in a gigamap:
Data security and project relink.
2022.
Kongsli Gjerde, H
This gigamap, produced as part of the OsloMet Master’s in Product Design in the module MAPD5210 - Visualising Complexity, was developed towards Relink’s work packages 2 and 4: Mapping and conceptual frameworks, and building tools for everyday risk management and public awareness. This gigamap outlines the mapping, research and development towards the intervention of a standardised and universally accessible system for presenting terms of service (ToS). Accordingly, this giga-map visualizes RELINK concepts, the structure of this gigamap is divided into the following sections; General mapping overview, household mapping, responsibility mapping, examining pain points, probing and workshopping, and a suggested intervention.
Findings
The gigamap found pain points surrounding a user’s apathy towards ToS agreements and the protection towards their own data. It also examined the benefits of data collection.
The gigamapper conducted a play probe and participated in a RELINK workshop to map and propose an intervention towards the standardisation and accessibility of ToS agreements.
The gigamap found that the implementation of a standardised ToS could lead to healthier competition between companies aiming to have the most trustworthy and accepted ToS for the user.
Recommendations
The gigamap recommends that the standardisation of ToS agreements be implemented and enforced into law, and that international cooperation should be used to set demands for large companies to have more accessible ToS.
To create a standardised interface for how to display the terms of services in an application, website or physical product. The interface aims to create a universal solution that does not discriminate against any form of handicap. The premise is that once the user can understand the terms of service better, they will be more willing to comply with them. If this is not the case, the company would be encouraged to change their terms of service should the customer choose not to buy or download the product due to the ToS.
The gigamap also proposed a rating system would assist the users in determining an apps trustability. The scores would be provided by unbiased NGOs, and would heavily focus on universal design to make the ToS accessible to those with vision, hearing or reading disabilities.
Take a look at the full project here!