Is the privacy paradox a relic of the past? An in‐depth analysis of privacy attitudes and privacy behaviors

Abstract

The privacy paradox states that online privacy concerns do not sufficiently explain online privacy behaviors on social network sites (SNSs). In this study, it was first asked whether the privacy paradox would still exist when analyzed as in prior research. Second, it was hypothesized that the privacy paradox would disappear when analyzed in a new approach. The new approach featured a multidimensional operationalization of privacy by differentiating between informational, social, and psychological privacy. Next to privacy concerns, also, privacy attitudes and privacy intentions were analyzed. With the aim to improve methodological aspects, all items were designed on the basis of the theory of planned behavior. In an online questionnaire with N = 595 respondents, it was found that online privacy concerns were not significantly related to specific privacy behaviors, such as the frequency or content of disclosures on SNSs (e.g., name, cell-phone number, or religious views). This demonstrated that the privacy paradox still exists when it is operationalized as in prior research. With regard to the new approach, all hypotheses were confirmed: Results showed both a direct relation and an indirect relation between privacy attitudes and privacy behaviors, the latter mediated by privacy intentions. In addition, also an indirect relation between privacy concerns and privacy behaviors was found, mediated by privacy attitudes and privacy intentions. Therefore, privacy behaviors can be explained sufficiently when using privacy attitudes, privacy concerns, and privacy intentions within the theory of planned behavior. The behaviors of SNS users are not as paradoxical as was once believed.

Why concern regarding privacy differs: The influence of age and (non-)participation on Facebook

“…Personal information features less prominent in their conception of privacy. Similarly, Dienlin and Trepte (2015) showed that distinguishing between privacy concerns, privacy attitudes, and intentions provided a fruitful way of explaining why people continue sharing information on SNSs regardless of privacy concerns. Here we only looked at the relationship between privacy conceptions and reported concern.…”

Attitudes toward privacy in social network and moral development of nursing students

“…These results are in line with characteristic of people at Kohlberg's stage 3, which focuses on fulfilling the interests and expectations of others, on gaining their approval. (4) In this study, the mean score of attitudes toward privacy in SNS between nursing (mean 3.97) and advertising (mean 4.06) students is lower compared with those of American (mean 5.0), Chinese (mean 4.8), and Indian (mean 4.6) young people, (14) although the instrument has no same scale but similar 7-Likert scale.…”

“…(4) However, attitude toward privacy concerns in SNS of advertising students was similar with nursing students. In healthcare environment, the moral sensitivity toward privacy of the patient should be increased.…”

“…Many SNS users have pronounced privacy concerns and are afraid that their privacy might be violated online. (4) Nurses are also using SNS to share information professionally with colleagues. (5) However, there are some accidents about nurses posting photos or information about patients.…”

“…Accordingly, individual perceptions of privacy are influenced by the moral development stage of the individual. (4) Furthermore, moral development and decision-making ability is an essential trait in professional nurse. Kohlberg identified the cognitive process how children develop their morality and established his theory of moral development.…”