Beware of the Ostrich Policy: End-Users' Perceptions Towards Data Transparency and Control

TL;DR

This paper investigates end users' perceptions of data transparency and control, highlighting the tendency of users to adopt an 'ostrich policy' by avoiding personal data management, and emphasizes designing systems that enhance trust and privacy.

Contribution

It introduces a prototype Point-of-Interest recommender system and explores user perceptions, advocating for better design to address the 'ostrich policy' in personal data management.

Findings

Users tend to avoid managing their personal data ('ostrich policy').

Designing transparent and controllable data interfaces can improve trust.

Qualitative insights inform better personal data management models.

Abstract

End users' awareness about the data they share, the purpose of sharing that data, and their control over it, is key to establishing trust and eradicating privacy concerns. We experimented on personal data management by prototyping a Point-of-Interest recommender system in which data collected on the user can be viewed, edited, deleted, and shared via elements in the User Interface. Based on our qualitative findings, in this paper we discuss "The ostrich policy" adopted by end users who do not want to manage their personal data. We sound a waking whistle to design and model for personal data management by understanding end users' perceptions towards data transparency and control.