Automatic Resolution of Normative Conflicts in Supportive Technology Based on User Values

Abstract

Social commitments (SCs) provide a flexible, norm-based, governance structure for sharing and receiving data. However, users of data sharing applications can subscribe to multiple SCs, possibly producing opposing sharing and receiving requirements. We propose resolving such conflicts automatically through a conflict resolution model based on relevant user values such as privacy and safety. The model predicts a user’s preferred resolution by choosing the commitment that best supports the user’s values. We show through an empirical user study (n = 396) that values, as well as recency and norm type, significantly improve a system’s ability to predict user preference in location sharing conflicts.