ommunication Privacy Management and the Digital Footprint in Pervasive Computer-Mediated Communication.

Abstract

The use of personal computers and smart phones as means of interpersonal communication has become standard and inescapable in the twenty first century. In many instances, it is expected that personal or group communication take place through the mediation of a personal computer or a handheld mobile device that is embedded with a microprocessor (such as a smartphone or a tablet computer). Pervasive computing is the growing trend towards embedding microprocessors in everyday objects so they can communicate information. The use of these devices to communicate over networks poses serious privacy concerns due to the fact that various service providers collect data about users in order to build digital footprints they use in order to present relevant advertising offers based on the person's identity. This study uses the Communication Privacy Management theory (CPM) in order to determine the degree to which people disclose private information in order to obtain some benefits in return. A survey of adults (18 and older) in the United States found that most people are unaware that they leave a digital footprint behind when they use various services, and that they do not utilize privacy techniques to protect their identity online