Feminist Interaction Techniques: Deterring Non-Consensual Screenshots with Interaction Techniques

TL;DR

This paper introduces Hands-Off, a feminist interaction technique that reduces non-consensual screenshots in messaging apps by requiring a hand gesture to unlock media, thereby addressing societal issues of privacy and consent.

Contribution

It presents a novel gesture-based interaction technique to deter non-consensual screenshots and introduces the concept of Feminist Interaction Techniques (FIT) for societal impact.

Findings

Hands-Off reduces non-consensual screenshots by 67%.

Gestures are easy to perform and effective.

Introduces the concept of Feminist Interaction Techniques.

Abstract

Non-consensual Intimate Media (NCIM) refers to the distribution of sexual or intimate content without consent. NCIM is common and causes significant emotional, financial, and reputational harm. We developed Hands-Off, an interaction technique for messaging applications that deters non-consensual screenshots. Hands-Off requires recipients to perform a hand gesture in the air, above the device, to unlock media -- which makes simultaneous screenshotting difficult. A lab study shows that Hands-Off gestures are easy to perform and reduce non-consensual screenshots by 67 percent. We conclude by generalizing this approach and introduce the idea of Feminist Interaction Techniques (FIT), interaction techniques that encode feminist values and speak to societal problems, and reflect on FIT's opportunities and limitations.