BETA :
System is being tested and improved. This is not the final version.
Iggy the handwashing Chatbot
Participation Information Sheet
Version 22 May 2020
OxTREC reference number: 535-20
1. What’s the purpose of this research?
Handwashing is a key public health measure to reduce the transmission of SARS-CoV-2, the cause of COVID-19. “Iggy the handwashing bot” is an interactive platform that uses knowledge from behavioural science and health psychology to help improve handwashing habits. Your participation will enable us to understand handwashing behavior in the community.
2. Why have I been invited to take part?
You are invited to use our chatbot because everyone has a role to play in helping to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
3. What’s involved for me?
You will be asked to log how many times you have washed your hands prompted by our friendly Iggy via chat once a day. Iggy will also share different daily tips and tricks related to handwashing with you every day. You can interact with Iggy beyond the daily check-ins whenever you like.
4. What will happen to my data?
Your research data will be stored securely in an end-to-end encrypted database accessed only by research personnel. Your personal data will be stored separately from research data and used only for authentication purposes to link up with your social media/chat account. Research personnel will not be able to access your personal data beyond your year of birth, gender, and city.
Database and communication channels are GDPR, CCPA, ISO, and SOC compliant. For more information see the Data Protection section.
5. What will happen to my samples?
You will not be asked to give biological samples of any kind.
6. Are there any risks in taking part?
Iggy will try to contact you daily, which some people may find mildly intrusive.
Beyond your gender, year of birth, and city, we do not store any other personal information. However, to be able to link Iggy to your chat box, Iggy must store your social media account ID. There is an unlikely risk of data breach which will associate your account with our project. We’ve taken steps to prevent this by using services that are GDPR, CCPA, ISO, and SOC compliant.
7. What are the benefits of taking part?
Handwashing is a good habit even beyond the COVID-19 outbreak. You will be creating habits that will protect you from both COVID-19 and other diseases. After a habit is formed, you will not have to pay as much attention to the habit or constantly remind yourself to perform the habit. Which is potentially one less thing to worry about in these challenging times.
By volunteering your handwashing behaviour, you will help us understand how Iggy or other versions of Iggy for other issues should behave to help humans best in public health crises.
You will also help us to get a better picture of community hand hygiene which will help us better understand how to stop viruses spreading between people.
8. Do I have to take part?
No. Any additional questions you may have can be directed to keepcalmandwash@gmail.com. Deciding not to join this study will have no impact on any interactions you have with healthcare personnel. You may withdraw from this study at any point in time with no penalty. You may withdraw from the study by an option provided in the menu or by blocking Iggy.
9. Has the study been reviewed by an ethics committee?
This study has been reviewed by Oxford Tropical Research Ethics Committee (OxTREC) and Central Research Ethics Committee/Ministry of Public Health (CREC/MOPH) ethics committee.
10. What if I have any questions or want to raise a concern?
We are always glad to hear feedback. Please direct any questions or concerns to keepcalmandwash@gmail.com. In future iterations Iggy will be able to respond and connect you directly to a human. Or you can contact the local ethics committee at kunyaphat.crec@hotmail.com.
11. Data protection
The study uses a Firebase database whose privacy policy is available from https://firebase.google.com/support/privacy. Access to the website is secure through HTTPS, which is HTTP over SSL. Chat communications are secure via various end-to-end encryption (E2EE) protocols outlined in that particular chat platform’s whitepaper.
The University of Oxford is the data controller with respect to your personal data, and as such will determine how your personal data is used in the study. Your personal data will only be used as stated in the “What will happen to my data?” section.
The University will process your personal data for the purpose of the research outlined above. Research is a task that is performed in the public interest.
Further information about your rights with respect to your personal data is available from https://www.admin.ox.ac.uk/councilsec/compliance/gdpr/individualrights.