Online privacy and privacy policy of social network sites.

• Main Author: Woh, Cheu Sia.
• Other Authors: Sin Sei Ching Joanna
• Format: Theses and Dissertations
• Language: English
• Published: 2012
• Subjects: DRNTU::Library and information science
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/50895
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

This study investigated SNS users’ reactions on privacy and information sharing behaviors relating to three SNS’s Privacy Policies namely: Facebook Data Use Policy effectives from Sept 23, 2011; Google New Privacy Policy effectives from March 1, 2012, and Real Name Registration Regulation in Sina Weibo effectives from March 16, 2012. Survey was conducted from April to June 2012 on university-educated and experienced SNS users using both online and physical questionnaires. Respondents are mainly from Singapore, Malaysia and China. Results showed respondents generally would choose to share lesser information after made to understand the scopes of the three SNSs’ privacy policies and third party access to their information. The survey also shown stronger resentment to third party access and respondents were more reluctant to share information with respect to third party access as compared to the three SNS Privacy Policies. It was also found that, male respondents were more aware of the changes in SNS’s privacy policy than females. On the degree of information privacy concern, Singaporean and Malaysian showed relatively higher level of concerns compare to that of Chinese Nationals. The trust respondents have on Facebook and Google were closed to neutral while their trust on Sina Weibo was low. Most respondents however, used fake name to sign up account in the three SNS. Third parties access to users’ information was of greater concern to respondents compared to profiling of users by the three SNS. The survey also noted that most respondents have low awareness and lack knowledge on SNS Privacy Policies and hardly read these policies. Therefore, it is highly suggested that SNS privacy policy needs to be more precise, simple to understand and not lengthy so as to encourage users to read. Individual SNS user also needs to take initiative in protecting their information privacy. Last but not least, in view of differences in internet usage policy in different countries, SNS providers are also recommended to develop and implement their privacy policies on country to country basis in order to meet their users’ privacy concerns and the needs of different countries. This paper also discusses the limitations and suggestions for future works.