Yes, I know this IoT Device Might Invade my Privacy, but I Love it Anyway! A Study of Saudi Arabian Perceptions

The Internet of Things (IoT) ability to monitor our every move raises many privacy concerns. This paper reports on a study to assess current awareness of privacy implications of IoT devices amongst Saudi Arabians. We found that even when users are aware of the potential for privacy invasion, their need for the convenience these devices afford leads them to discount this potential and to ignore any concerns they might initially have had. We then conclude by making some predictions about the direction the IoT field will take in the next 5-7 years, in terms of privacy invasion, protection and awareness

The Privacy Paradox: Factors influencing information disclosure in the use of the Internet of Things (IoT) in South Africa

The Internet of Things (IoT) has been acknowledged as one of the most innovative forms of technology since the computer, because of the influence it can have on multiple sectors of physical and virtual environments. The growth of IoT is expected to continue, by 2020 the number of connected devices is estimated to reach 50 billion. Recent developments in IoT provide an unprecedented opportunity for personalised services and other benefits. To exploit these potential benefits as best as possible, individuals are willing to provide their personal information despite potential privacy breaches. Therefore, this paper examines factors that influence the willingness to disclose personal information in the use of IoT in South Africa (SA) with the use of the privacy calculus as the theoretical underpinnings of this research. The privacy calculus accentuates that a risk-benefit trade off occurs when an individual decides to disclose their personal information, however, it is assumed that there are more factors than perceived risks and perceived benefits that influence information disclosure. After analysing previous literature, this study identified the following factors; information sensitivity, privacy concerns, social influence, perceived benefits, (perceived) privacy risks and privacy knowledge as possible key tenants in relation to willingness to disclose personal information. This research took on an objective ontological view, with the underlying epistemological stance being positivistic. The research incorporated a deductive approach, employing the use of a conceptual model which was constructed from a combination of studies orientated around privacy, the privacy calculus and the privacy paradox. Data for this research was collected using the quantitative research approach, through the use of an anonymous online questionnaire, where the targeted population was narrowed down to the general public residing within SA that make use of IoT devices and/or services. Data was collected using Qualtrics and analysed using SmartPLS 3. SmartPLS 3 was used to test for correlations between the factors which influence information disclosure in the use of IoT by utilising the complete bootstrapping method. A key finding was that the privacy paradox is apparent within SA, where individuals pursue enjoyment and predominantly use IoT for leisure purposes, while individuals are more likely to adopt self-withdrawal tendencies when faced with heightened privacy concerns or potential risks

A Study of Stem and Non-Stem College Students’ Smart TV Attitudes (The Trade-Off Between Functionality and Security/Privacy)

Internet-of-Things (IoT) usage surged over the past decade, and its advancement of intricate devices brings obvious convenience to users. IoT devices such as Smart TVs offer services and features that are desirable and favorable to consumers. However, all that convenience comes with security and privacy concerns. Smart TVs have been the target of attacks due to their internet connectivity. Moreover, personally identifiable information (PII), browsing history, and watching preferences, are being collected, leaked, and sold. Previous research showed that users care that their data is protected but have minimal privacy awareness. Moreover, some researchers claimed that even if consumers were made aware of privacy issues, using the smart TVs’ functionalities took higher precedence than protecting their privacy. This study will extend previous studies and investigate claims that informing users about privacy does not change their attitudes. The aim is to investigate different groups of students at a small mid-western public institution of higher education: across domains, STEM and Non-STEM programs, junior/senior and freshmen/sophomore students’ responses and attitudes will be compared. The research will investigate whether training and exposure to security programs and courses affect students’ security and privacy knowledge, awareness, and attitudes