Russian roulette with unlicensed fat-burner drug 2,4-dinitrophenol (DNP) : evidence from a multidisciplinary study of the internet, bodybuilding supplements and DNP users

BACKGROUND: 2,4-Dinitrophenol (DNP) poses serious health-risks to humans. The aims of this three-stage multidisciplinary project were, for the first time, to assess the risks to the general public from fraudulent sale of or adulteration/contamination with DNP; and to investigate motives, reasons and risk-management among DNP-user bodybuilders and avid exercisers. METHODS: Using multiple search-engines and guidance for Internet research, online retailers and bodybuilding forums/blogs were systematically explored for availability of DNP, advice offered on DNP use and user profiles. Ninety-eight pre-workout and weight-loss supplements were purchased and analysed for DNP using liquid-chromatography-mass-spectrometry. Psychosocial variables were captured in an international sample of 35 DNP users (26.06 ± 6.10 years, 94.3 % male) with an anonymous, semi-qualitative self-reported survey. RESULTS: Although an industrial chemical, evidence from the Internet showed that DNP is sold 'as is', in capsules or tablets to suit human consumption, and is used 'uncut'. Analytical results confirmed that DNP is not on the supplement market disguised under fictitious supplement names, but infrequently was present as contaminant in some supplements (14/98) at low concentration (<100mcg/kg). Users make conscious and 'informed' decisions about DNP; are well-prepared for the side-effects and show nonchalant attitude toward self-experimentation with DNP. Steps are often taken to ensure that DNP is genuine. Personal experience with performance- and appearance enhancing substances appears to be a gateway to DNP. Advice on DNP and experiences are shared online. The significant discrepancy between the normative perception and the actual visibility suggests that DNP use is-contrary to the Internet accounts-a highly concealed and lonesome activity in real life. Positive experiences with the expected weight-loss prevail over the negative experiences from side effects (all but two users considered using DNP again) and help with using DNP safely is considered preferable over scare-tactics. CONCLUSION: Legislation banning DNP sale for human consumption protects the general public but DNP is sold 'as is' and used 'uncut' by determined users who are not dissuaded from experimenting with DNP based on health threats. Further research with stakeholders' active participation is imperative for targeted, proactive public health policies and harm-reduction measures for DNP, and other illicit supplements

The Interplay Between Privacy, Trust and Self-disclosure on Social Networking Sites

Part 4: Security, Privacy, Ethics and MisinformationInternational audienceSocial Networking Sites (SNSs) have become an essential part of the daily lives of billions of people worldwide. Because SNS service providers use a revenue model that relies on data licensing (selling of user data), they share user data with other parties such as government institutions and private businesses. Sharing of user data to third parties raises several privacy concerns. Apart from privacy issues emanating from SNSs sharing user information with third parties, privacy issues may also emanate from users sharing information with SNS members. This study is motivated by the researchers’ interest in investigating self-disclosure amongst Ghanaians especially from the perspective of privacy and trust primarily because of recent reports of revenge pornography and other self-disclosure related privacy violations on SNSs in Ghana. A survey was conducted on 523 students from three private universities in Ghana. Out of the 523 questionnaires administered, 452 were validated for analysis. Data collected from the survey was analyzed using the Partial Least Square approach to Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) performed on SmartPLS Version 3. Results of the study show that privacy awareness, privacy invasion experience, and privacy-seeking behavior have a significant effect on trust in SNS members. Privacy concern was found not to have a significant effect on trust in SNS members. Privacy awareness, privacy concerns, privacy invasion experience, and privacy-seeking behavior were found to have a significant effect on trust in the SNS service provider. Trust in SNS members and trust in the SNS service provider were found to have a significant effect on SNS self-disclosure. Theoretical and practical implications of the study are also discussed

Analysis of Factors that Influence Customers' Willingness to Leave Big Data Digital Footprints on Social Media: A Systematic Review of Literature

Big data has been discussed extensively in existing scholarly works but scant consideration is given to customers’ willingness to generate and leave big data digital footprints on social media, especially in the light of the profusely debated issue of privacy and security. The current paper endeavours to address this gap in the literature by developing a conceptual framework. In doing so, this paper conducts a systematic review of extant literature from 2002 to 2017 to identify and analyse the underlying factors that influence customers’ willingness to leave digital footprints on social media. The findings of this review reveal that personal behaviour (intrinsic psychological dispositions), technological factors (relative advantage and convenience), social influence (social interaction, social ties and social support) and privacy and security (risk, control and trust) are the key factors that influence customers’ willingness to generate and leave big data digital footprints on social media. The conceptual framework presented in this paper advances the scholarship of technology adoption and use and provides useful direction for future empirical research for both academics and practitioners