The Current State of Access Control for Smart Devices in Homes

Although connected devices and smart homes are now marketed to average consumers, little is known about how access-control systems for these devices fare in the real world. In this paper, we conduct three case studies that evaluate the extent to which commercial smart devices provide affordances related to access control. In particular, we examine an Internet-connected lighting system, bathroom scale, and door lock. We find that each device has its own siloed access-control system and that each approach fails to provide seemingly essential affordances. Furthermore, no system fully supports user understanding of access control for the home. We discuss future directions for usable access control in the home.