An exploratory study in the concerns for information privacy

Abstract

In this research a quantitative metaanalysis was conducted on the Concern For Information Privacy construct (CFIP) and its dimensions to find a trend. This study concluded that on a global scale, people’s concerns for unauthorized secondary use and improper access of their personal information have increased, and that for a general/student population in a general/online context the overall concerns for information privacy have increased in the US. A follow-up study into the antecedents of people’s concerns for information privacy concluded that MacKenzie’s certainty trough applies also to people’s knowledge of personal data collection and usage, and concern for information privacy. A significant conceptual model was developed to further explain this relation with respect to other determinants. Several relations between demographics and CFIP were found, for example between the highest level of education, financial stability and household income per household member and the CFIP construct. Several human values also seemed to be of significance with respect to the CFIP. A final study tested the extent to which these findings can be explained by the spheres of informational justice theory. Evidence was found that the theory only applies to the governmental, medical and educational spheres and not to the commercial and financial spheres, indicating a clear discrepancy between the public and private domains. The salience of sub-spheres and the influence of the consequences of an exchange of personal data on its perceived appropriateness were also proven. This study led to the conclusion that public and especially private organisations should take steps to address the increasing concerns for information privacy to mitigate any adverse effects.