The role of personal data value, culture and self-construal in online privacy behaviour

Fleming, Piers, Bayliss, Andrew P. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4810-7758, Edwards, S. Gareth and Seger, Charles R. (2021) The role of personal data value, culture and self-construal in online privacy behaviour. PLoS One, 16 (7). ISSN 1932-6203

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Abstract

Personal data is ubiquitous in the digital world, can be highly valuable in aggregate, and can lead to unintended intrusions for the data creator. However, individuals’ expressions of concern about exposure of their personal information are generally not matched by their behavioural caution. One reason for this mismatch could be the varied and intangible value of personal data. We present three studies investigating the potential association between personal data value and privacy behaviour, assessing both individual and cross-cultural differences in personal data valuation, comparing collectivist and individualistic cultures. Study 1a, using a representative UK sample, found no relationship between personal data value and privacy behaviour. However, Study 1b found Indian (collectivist) participants' privacy behaviour was sensitive to personal data value, unlike US (individualist) participants. Study 2 showed that in a UK sample, privacy behaviour was sensitive to personal data value but only for individuals who think of themselves as more similar to others (i.e., self-construe as similar, rather than different). We suggest those who prioritise group memberships are more sensitive to unintentional disclosure harm and therefore behave in accordance with personal data valuations - which informs the privacy concern-behaviour relationship. Our findings can suggest approaches to encourage privacy behaviours.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: online privacy,data value,privacy paradox,privacy concern,culture,privacy behavior
Faculty \ School: Faculty of Social Sciences > School of Psychology
UEA Research Groups: Faculty of Social Sciences > Research Groups > Cognition, Action and Perception
Faculty of Social Sciences > Research Groups > Social Cognition Research Group
Faculty of Social Sciences > Research Centres > Centre for Behavioural and Experimental Social Sciences
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Depositing User: LivePure Connector
Date Deposited: 21 Jul 2021 01:48
Last Modified: 20 Apr 2023 21:33
URI: https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/80647
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0253568

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