MANAGING PRIVACY SETTINGS AND INLINE FEATURE CONTROLS IN SOCIAL NETWORKING APPLICATIONS
Date
2018-08-31T17:03:15Z
Authors
Alqarni, Abdulhadi
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Abstract
Prior research has found that users of Social Networking Sites (SNSs) are often
concerned about their online privacy; however, most users rarely make use of the privacy
settings provided by such platforms. There are inconsistencies between privacy attitudes
and observed privacy behaviours due to a lack of understanding, lack of control, abstract
interfaces, and concerns about current privacy settings. Studies show that users still
struggle to comprehend and control their privacy settings. In this thesis, a novel model
called Privacy Settings Model (PSM) that assists users to understand, control, and update
their privacy settings on SNSs is proposed. The model would enhance users’ privacy
behaviours and thereby reduce their privacy risks.
The research comprised of three major phases. A mixed-method study (Phase 1 and
Phase 2) was conducted to explore users’ behaviours with respect to various privacy
settings and the factors that impact users when learning and applying a particular privacy
setting. In the first phase, a qualitative study of 22 SNS users was conducted to explore the
behaviours and factors associated with privacy settings. Using thematic analysis, factors
related to users’ concerns and behaviours according to the PSM components were obtained.
After collecting, transcribing, and analyzing the data using the thematic analysis, 15 factors
that influenced users’ behaviours when understanding and changing the settings, and
receiving or finding new privacy updates were identified. Furthermore, it was observed
that SNS users often rely on external resources for help and accurate information on how
to understand and change their settings.
In the second phase, a large-scale quantitative study of 101 users to validate the
obtained factors that impact their behaviours from the qualitative study was
conducted. Based on the findings in Phase 1 and Phase 2, significant design guidelines to
assist in the design of usable SNS settings that meet users’ expectations were derived.
In the third phase, using the design guidelines, a proof of concept application (PrivSet)
was developed to help SNS users learn and configure the settings and new updates
efficiently and effectively. To evaluate the system, a mixed-method study was conducted
to compare the PrivSet application with the default settings in SNSs with respect to
efficiency, effectiveness, and users’ satisfaction. The results of the evaluation showed that
the SNS users who utilized the PrivSet application spent less time and successfully
completed the process of understanding and changing the settings in comparison to the
users who did not use the PrivSet application (i.e., they only used SNS settings).
Additionally, the PrivSet application was well received by the users and offered promise
to facilitate the steps required to achieve PSM components.
Description
Keywords
PRIVACY, SOCIAL NETWORKING APPLICATIONS