Exploring the dimensions of individual privacy concerns in relation to the Internet of Things use situations

Abstract

Purpose The integration of internet of things (IoT) devices into daily life introduces challenges for the privacy of their users and those who are affected by these devices. This paper explores the factors that affect individual concerns regarding IoT use and how those factors affect the dynamics of privacy management with the presence of an IoT device. Design/methodology/approach Four focus groups of individuals and IoT experts were studied to understand the groups’ privacy concerns. The authors adopted a qualitative research method based on grounded theory to find relevant dimensions of situational privacy concerns in IoT use situations. Findings The results revealed that fourteen dimensions of individuals’ privacy concerns regarding the IoT are relevant and can be categorized under four key influential factors: collection, IoT device, collected data storage and use of collected data. The authors also analyzed the focus groups using genres of disclosure theory and explored how privacy concerns affect individual privacy management regulations. Research limitations/implications This paper contributes to how future research can employ genres of disclosure as a theoretical framework to identify situations where privacy violations occur. Practical implications This study can assist service providers and IoT manufacturers in deriving design principles and decreasing concerns by addressing the information that must be communicated to their users. Originality/value As opposed to the previous research, which was more inclined to dispositional privacy concerns, this study provides insights into situational privacy concerns when individuals are confronted with the IoT. This study represents the first attempt to investigate the process individuals experience in managing their privacy.