A Systematic Evaluation of the Communicability of Online Privacy Mechanisms with Respect to Communication Privacy Management

Abstract: Online privacy mechanisms have not been effective in ensuring end users’ privacy. One of the main reasons is the un-usability of these mechanisms. Although past socio-psychological studies have highlighted the need for privacy in interpersonal interactions and social relationships,approaches to designing online privacy have often not considered privacy as a communication process. In this study the principles of communication privacy management (CPM) are used within semiotic inspection to examine online privacy mechanisms. We found that privacy as a communication process breaches many of the principles of CPM.

We conclude that this might explain why end-users do not interact with online privacy mechanisms effectively.

For a full copy of this paper, please email lynne.white@rhul.ac.uk

Private Sounds with Viv Corringham: A film from the What does Privacy Look Feel and Sound Like Workshop
Rika’s Red face: A film from the "What does privacy look feel & sound like" Workshop