Obtaining each participant's consent is a critical component of usability testing. It ensures that participants are fully aware of what they agree to and what is expected of them during the testing process. Testing without consent could potentially violate ethical principles and lead to legal issues.

Additionally, consent allows participants to feel comfortable and secure during testing. They know their participation is voluntary, and they have the right to withdraw at any time without fear of consequences. This is particularly important when participants may be asked to share personal information or perform tasks they may not be comfortable with.

Consent also helps researchers to establish trust with participants. When participants feel treated fairly and respectfully, they are more likely to provide honest and useful feedback. If you’re planning to record the session, make sure to inform the participants during the recruitment process so they are aware of what they agree to.^[1]