BE FORGOTTEN
What is Be Forgotten?
Be Forgotten is a user-centric platform that enables individuals to exercise their 'right to be forgotten' in a secure and hassle-free manner. The website prioritizes privacy by providing a seamless experience without the need for user registration or the collection of personal data!
Objectives
The Be Forgotten platform prioritizes user-centricity, simplicity, transparency, and privacy. Its objectives include developing a user-friendly interface, streamlining the process of exercising the right to be forgotten, and ensuring compliance with relevant regulations.
Goals
The Be Forgotten platform aims to offer an anonymous and free solution for individuals who wish to exercise their right to be forgotten. Its primary goal is to empower users by providing them with an effortless, secure, and trustworthy way to exercise this right, without compromising their privacy or incurring any costs.
Role
Conducted User Research
Wireframed sketches on Figma
Prototyped product and created demo
Visual design direction
Conducted Usability testing
Project Length
Feb 2023 - May 2023
Tool Used
Figma
Miro
Timeline
OverviewWhat is the right to be forgotten?
Under Article 17 of the GDPR right to be forgotten allows individuals to request the deletion of their personal information from the internet or public sources. Under this right, people can regain control over their data if it is outdated, irrelevant, or used unlawfully. However, it must be balanced with other rights such as freedom of expression and varies in different jurisdictions.
What requirements does someone need to meet in order to file a request for the right to be forgotten?
The information in question should be inadequate, irrelevant, or excessive compared to its original purpose.
The data is no longer necessary for the purpose for which it was originally collected or processed.
You withdraw your consent (if the data processing was based on consent).
If you object to the data processing and there's no overriding legitimate reason for it to continue, you can ask for your data to be removed.
Competitive Analysis
At the start of my project, I analysed a well-known personal data removal platform called "incogni." I focused on User Experience, Functionality, Privacy, Success Rate, and Pricing. This analysis, which was based on information obtained from the platform's Trustpilot reviews from 124 users, allowed me to gain insights into the platform's offerings and understand the needs of users for my own work.
User Experience: The user reviews indicate a generally positive user experience, with users finding the platform easy to use and navigate. The setup process is described as smooth, and the communication from Incogni is appreciated.
Functionality: Users have found Incogni to be effective in removing personal data from data brokers. The reduction in spam calls and emails has been seen as a positive outcome of using the platform.
Privacy: Users have expressed satisfaction with Incogni's dedication to safeguarding their personal data and privacy rights. However, they have also mentioned that the lack of an anonymization option reinforces a limitation in the platform. Additionally, some users have observed the presence of dark patterns during the subscription cancellation process.
Success Rate: Users have shared positive experiences with Incogni's success rate in removing their personal information. They have received acknowledgments from data brokers regarding the removal of their data, reinforcing the platform's effectiveness.
Pricing: Incogni offers two pricing options: an annual plan priced at 6.49 euros per month and a monthly plan priced at 12.99 euros. While these options are available, some users have expressed their opinion that the pricing is expensive.
User Research Suvery
I conducted a survey involving eight individuals to gain insights into their experiences and attitudes towards the Right to Be Forgotten.
4 participants tried to exercise their Right to Be Forgotten, citing the process as challenging.
The remaining 4 participants hadn't exercised this right due to a lack of awareness.
6 participants experienced challenges due to the lack of transparency in the process.
All 8 participants agreed on the need for a user-friendly, straightforward, and secure website to facilitate this process.
Persona
By deeply understanding Susie's needs and wants, we can utilize the survey results to create a customized solution that is both beneficial for her and addresses the requirements of a wider audience. This comprehensive understanding enables us to develop a product that caters to Susie's specific preferences while delivering value and satisfaction to a diverse range of users. Through this insight, we can design a solution that effectively meets Susie's unique needs, captures her desires, and resonates with a broader user base.
Wireframe
During the design phase, I created wireframe sketches using Figma to outline the user interface and flow of the Be Forgotten platform. These wireframes served as a visual representation of the platform's structure, features, and interactions. They were created based on the insights gained from research and aimed to address the pain points identified during the survey, such as lack of transparency in process. The wireframes focused on providing a user-friendly and straightforward experience, ensuring that users have clear visibility into the data removal process and understand the steps involved. The interface aimed to instil trust and confidence in users by emphasizing privacy and security measures.
-
Homepage
The homepage is designed to be simple yet informative. It provides an overview of the "Be Forgotten" platform, explaining its purpose and how it can assist users in exercising their 'right to be forgotten'. The design aims to be intuitive, guiding the user to begin the process with clear call-to-action buttons.
-
Learn More
This learn more site is dedicated to educating users about the right to be forgotten. It contains details about the legislation, its implications, and how users can utilize it to protect their personal data. This page is crucial in ensuring that users fully understand what they are consenting to.
-
Request Form
The request form is a crucial step where users formally request the removal of their data. It is designed to be simple and concise, asking users to fill in just enough information for the process to proceed. The focus here is to minimize the collection of personal data.
-
Identity Verification
The identity verification section focuses on confirming the user's identity to ensure that the correct individual is making the request. The design balances security and ease of use, guiding the user through the verification steps without causing frustration or confusion.
-
Conformation
The final step is the confirmation page. It notifies the user that their request has been successfully submitted. The design is clean and straightforward, providing a sense of closure to the process while offering users an option to make another request or learn more about data privacy.
Usability Testing
During the remote usability testing sessions, I gathered feedback from Susie and three other users. Overall, the participants provided valuable insights and suggestions for improvement.
This was their feedback
Positive response to the clean and straightforward design of the confirmation page
Desire expressed for more icons and descriptive buttons
Request for additional visual elements, such as images, to enhance user experience
Emphasis on the importance of simplicity and clarity in the design
Typography
For the Be Forgotten project, I paid meticulous attention to typography that embodies simplicity, clarity, and user-friendliness. The logo prominently features the renowned 'Inter' font, chosen for its versatility and legibility, which helps establish a modern and approachable identity for the brand. Additionally, the design incorporates a gradient from purple to blue, adding a contemporary touch to the overall aesthetic. These design choices were made with the intention of addressing pain points and ensuring a visually appealing and user-friendly experience for the audience.
Visual Elements
For the visual design of the Be Forgotten project, I carefully selected illustrations that prioritize usability and comprehension to streamline the process. I used plain icons and images for improved accessibility and understanding. Additionally, I added vivid colours and user-friendly features to enhance the overall experience.
Final Design.
Based on the wireframes and users feedback from the wireframe testing, I established a visual design direction for the Be Forgotten. The design aimed to create a clean and minimalist interface, with a focus on readability, clarity, and ease of use. The colour scheme and typography were selected to enhance the user experience and convey a sense of trust and professionalism.
The visual design direction aimed to align with the platform's goal of providing a secure and hassle-free experience for users exercising their right to be forgotten.
Reflection
Reflecting on the 'Be Forgotten' project, I'm highly satisfied with the platform's intuitive design that I contributed to, empowering individuals to request the removal of their online personal information. My selection of the 'Inter' font and implementation of a gradient aesthetic achieves a balance between modernity, approachability, simplicity, and clarity. This design not only engages users visually, but also addresses their pain points, enhancing their experience. Looking ahead, I remain committed to prioritizing user-centric design principles. My approach includes constant incorporation of user feedback, employing it for iterative improvements to further optimize the platform.