Researchers from the University of California, Berkeley and the University of Pennsylvania (Chris Jay Hoofnagle, Jennifer King, Su Li and Joseph Turow) conducted a survey of 1,000 American Internet users that revealed that, contrary to media reports, young adults are largely in agreement with older Americans when it comes to concerns about online privacy and related policy matters.

According to the researchers, young-adult Americans have an aspiration for increased privacy even while they participate in an online reality that is optimized to increase their revelation of personal data."

For more information, download the report here. Published April 14, 2010.

Comments Trackbacks Permalink
Tags: Chris Hoofnagle, privacy

In a 2010 technical report produced by RAND Europe, researchers attempt to quantify the trade-offs people may make when making choices regarding their privacy, security and liberty. The study recognizes the challenges policymakers have in figuring out what and how to implement security policy without infringing on individual privacy rights.

The report surveyed British citizens on the issues of privacy and security for three activities: applying for a passport, train traveling, and attending major events.  Findings from this focused study shows that it is possible to quantify the views and preferences of citizens on their privacy and security, given that it is presented in a contextualized manner. Additionally, in some scenarios, it is possible to monetize these views. The study concludes that its methodology and data can help policymakers to identify, inform and make evidence-based decisions on policy issues that impose or consider public preferences, without undermining security gains.

Read the full report from RAND Europe here. 

Comments Trackbacks Permalink
Tags: Europe, privacy, security

The Youth and Media Policy Working Group Initiative at Harvard University's Berkman Center for Internet & Society published a literature review on April 14th about the current understanding of youth attitudes and practices towards online privacy.

Looking at studies focused on children, teenagers and young adults, the review summarizes the different perspectives and legal issues involved in regulating privacy and reputation, including concerns that young people put themselves at risk for harassment, discrimination and solicitation by revealing personal information on social networking platforms. The Berkman Center finds that, for many of today's young generation, socializing and building relationships through online technologies have become a normal part of their daily lives. Thus, concepts of the "public and private spheres" have become outdated in the discourse of today's youth and online privacy concerns.

A majority of online privacy studies focus on the aspects of risk among adolescents on public platforms and less on understanding the necessity of private spaces for young people to socialize.  These studies highlight the contradictions and varied understandings of risk, private and public spaces, and the use of the Internet among youth, adults, and academia.

To read the literature review in its entirety, visit Berkman's site. Published April 14, 2010. 

Comments Trackbacks Permalink
Tags: Berkman Center, Internet, John Palfrey, privacy, reputation, social media