Optional Data Disclosure and the Online Privacy Paradox: A UK Perspective

TL;DR

This study investigates the discrepancy between privacy attitudes and actual online data disclosure among UK citizens, revealing that most individuals disclose private data despite valuing privacy, highlighting the privacy paradox.

Contribution

It provides empirical evidence of the privacy paradox by analyzing real-time data disclosure behavior during surveys, a novel approach compared to previous post-hoc studies.

Findings

Over 99% of individuals disclose private data needlessly.

Privacy opinions have little influence on actual disclosure behavior.

People act contrary to their expressed privacy concerns.

Abstract

Opinion polls suggest that the public value their privacy, with majorities calling for greater control of their data. However, individuals continue to use online services which place their personal information at risk, comprising a Privacy Paradox. Previous work has analysed this phenomenon through after-the-fact comparisons, but not studied disclosure behaviour during questioning. We physically surveyed UK cities to study how the British public regard privacy and how perceptions differ between demographic groups. Through analysis of optional data disclosure, we empirically examined whether those who claim to value their privacy act privately with their own data. We found that both opinions and self-reported actions have little effect on disclosure, with over 99\% of individuals revealing private data needlessly. We show that not only do individuals act contrary to their opinions, they disclose information needlessly even whilst describing themselves as private. We believe our findings encourage further analysis of data disclosure, as a means of studying genuine privacy behaviour.