Mobile Apps: Privacy Attitudes, Knowledge, & User Practices

Abstract

With the explosive growth in number of mobile application downloads and the pervasive use of smartphones around the world, the issue of user privacy and security has evolved. The paper addressed seven research questions, as well as identified the pertinent literature surrounding the variety of issues with mobile privacy practices used by application developers and users. Within the discussion of pertinent literature, the paper addressed recent transgressions perpetrated by mobile application companies. Specifically, the paper discussed transgressions regarding the collection of users' personal data, as well as the current mobile application privacy rules and regulations in place in the United States and the rules developed in Europe. Along with the exploration of the literature, a study was conducted that focused specifically on privacy in regards to downloaded mobile applications on smartphones. The study examined the privacy attitudes, knowledge, and practices of mobile application users. Specifically, the research delved into how willing people were to give up their personal information to be able to use those mobile applications and if they were even aware that personal data is collected through their use of those applications. The analysis conducted tried to identify the existence of disconnects between users' attitudes, knowledge, and practices of privacy regarding their personal information from use of downloaded mobile applications.