Perceptions and Knowledge of Privacy Risks in Mobile Apps

Abstract

Consumers often have little knowledge about the extent of privacy risks taken when using mobile applications (apps) on their smartphones, and are unlikely to be informed by federal regulations or privacy certifications. A survey was distributed to smartphone users to determine their perceptions and knowledge of privacy risks in mobile apps, and if these perceptions vary in different contexts (i.e., a health app vs. flashlight app). This study found that people appear to see privacy in mobile apps as contingent and context-dependent. While smartphone users were found to have a good understanding of privacy risks, they considered user rating and price to be more important factors to consider than privacy when selecting a mobile app. Presentation, clarity, and context all influence people’s decisions to install and use mobile apps. This study has important implications for how privacy permissions and ratings can be presented to best inform consumer decisions.