Abstract
This study identifies the underlying dimensions of privacy protection behavior and examines how it is selectively influenced by central theoretical constructs such as affect/attitude (operationalized here as privacy concern), cognitive beliefs (risk beliefs and self-efficacy beliefs), and external factors (communication effects) pertaining to online privacy. The findings reveal three unique dimensions of privacy protection behavior (i.e., opt-out, proactive, and use of privacy enhancing technologies [PET]). The results, based on survey data (n = 836), reveal that privacy concerns, risk beliefs, and self efficacy have a significant impact on self-protective action, though their impact varies across the types of behavioral strategy. While opt-out and proactive protection strategies were mainly influenced by privacy concern, the use of PET was directly influenced by risk beliefs (perceived vulnerability) and self-efficacy beliefs. Communication factors figured as an antecedent to risk beliefs (personal- and societal-level risk judgments). The theoretical and practical implications of the findings are discussed.
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Cho Hichang
Hichang Cho is an assistant professor of the Communications and New Media Programme, National University of Singapore. His current research focuses on computer-mediated communication, social network analysis, and online privacy.