Title: Privacy analysis in mobile social networks: the influential factors for disclosure of personal data

Authors: Antonio Sapuppo

Addresses: Center for Communication, Media and Information Technologies, Aalborg University, Sydhavnsgade 17-19, Frederikskaj 12, Copenhagen 2450, Denmark

Abstract: Nowadays, mobile social networks are capable of promoting social networking benefits during physical meetings, in order to leverage interpersonal affinities not only among acquaintances, but also between strangers. Due to their foundation on automated sharing of personal data in the physical surroundings of the user, these networks are subject to crucial privacy threats. Privacy management systems must be capable of accurate selection of data disclosure according to human data sensitivity evaluation. Therefore, it is crucial to research and comprehend an individual's personal information disclosure decisions happening in ordinary human communication. Consequently, in this paper we provide insight into influential factors of human data disclosure decisions, by presenting and analysing results of an empirical investigation comprising two online surveys. We focus on the following influential factors: inquirer, purpose of disclosure, access & control of the disclosed information, location familiarity and current activity of the user. This research can serve as relevant input for the design of privacy management models in mobile social networks.

Keywords: privacy analysis; information disclosure; mobile computing; social networks; social interactions; proximity interactions; ubiquitous computing; mobile networks; personal data; personal information; social networking; mobile networks; privacy management; data disclosure.

DOI: 10.1504/IJWMC.2012.051517

International Journal of Wireless and Mobile Computing, 2012 Vol.5 No.4, pp.315 - 326

Received: 16 Nov 2011
Accepted: 27 Feb 2012
Published online: 11 Jan 2015 *

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