scholarly journals Investigating factors that affect the adoption of COVID-19 contact-tracing apps: A privacy calculus perspective.

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Yannic Meier ◽  
Judith Meinert ◽  
Nicole C. Krämer
Keyword(s):  
Contact Tracing ◽  
Privacy Calculus

scholarly journals Individuals’ privacy concerns and adoption of contact tracing mobile applications in a pandemic: A situational privacy calculus perspective

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Farkhondeh Hassandoust ◽  
Saeed Akhlaghpour ◽  
Allen C Johnston
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Sex Education ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Specific Model ◽  
Contact Tracing ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Sensitive Data ◽  
Privacy Concerns ◽  
Public Health Agencies ◽  
Privacy Calculus

Abstract Objective The study sought to develop and empirically validate an integrative situational privacy calculus model for explaining potential users’ privacy concerns and intention to install a contact tracing mobile application (CTMA). Materials and Methods A survey instrument was developed based on the extant literature in 2 research streams of technology adoption and privacy calculus. Survey participants (N = 853) were recruited from all 50 U.S. states. Partial least squares structural equation modeling was used to validate and test the model. Results Individuals’ intention to install a CTMA is influenced by their risk beliefs, perceived individual and societal benefits to public health, privacy concerns, privacy protection initiatives (legal and technical protection), and technology features (anonymity and use of less sensitive data). We found only indirect relationships between trust in public health authorities and intention to install CTMA. Sex, education, media exposure, and past invasion of privacy did not have a significant relationship either, but interestingly, older people were slightly more inclined than younger people to install a CTMA. Discussion Our survey results confirm the initial concerns about the potentially low adoption rates of CTMA. Our model provides public health agencies with a validated list of factors influencing individuals’ privacy concerns and beliefs, enabling them to systematically take actions to address these identified issues, and increase CTMA adoption. Conclusions Developing CTMAs and increasing their adoption is an ongoing challenge for public health systems and policymakers. This research provides an evidence-based and situation-specific model for a better understanding of this theoretically and pragmatically important phenomenon.

scholarly journals Individual costs and societal benefits: the privacy calculus of contact-tracing apps

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeanette Carlsson Hauff ◽  
Jonas Nilsson
Keyword(s):  
Public Support ◽  
Significant Proportion ◽  
Sem Analysis ◽  
Contact Tracing ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Privacy Concerns ◽  
Consumer Privacy ◽  
The World ◽  
Privacy Calculus ◽  
Hedonic Utilitarian

Purpose During 2020, governments around the world introduced contact-tracing apps to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. In order for contact-tracing apps to be efficient tools in combatting pandemics, a significant proportion of the population has to install it. However, in many countries, the success of apps introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic has been limited due to lack of public support. This paper aims to better understand why consumers seem unwilling to install and use a contact-tracing app. Design/methodology/approach In this study, the authors test a number of determinants hypothesized to influence acceptance of contact-tracing apps based on the theory of privacy calculus (Dinev and Hart, 2006). Both perceived privacy concerns, as well as perceived hedonic, utilitarian and pro-social benefits are included. The hypotheses are tested through SEM analysis on a representative sample of 1,007 Swedish citizens. Findings The results indicate significant privacy concerns with using contact-tracing apps. However, this is to some extent offset by perceived hedonic and pro-social positive consequences of using the app. This study further shows that a general positive attitude towards innovation increases acceptance of the app. Originality/value The study contributes to research on consumer privacy, both in general in its application of the calculus model but also specifically in the context of contact-tracing apps. Moreover, as the results highlight which aspects that are important for consumers to accept and install an app of this kind, they also represent an important contribution to policymakers in countries around the world.

scholarly journals Investigating factors that affect the adoption of Covid-19 contact-tracing apps. A privacy calculus perspective

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yannic Meier ◽  
Judith Meinert ◽  
Nicole Krämer
Keyword(s):  
Path Model ◽  
Contact Tracing ◽  
Relative Importance ◽  
German Government ◽  
Privacy Concerns ◽  
German Sample ◽  
Privacy Settings ◽  
Privacy Calculus ◽  
Potential Benefits ◽  
Benefit Perception

On June 16th, the German government issued a Covid-19 contact-tracing app whose privacy settings were fiercely debated in advance. Contrary, potential benefits regarding the acceleration of contact-tracing were advertised. This study aimed to investigate the relative importance of privacy concerns and perceived benefits in relation to the decision to use the app adopting a privacy calculus perspective extended by trust in the app-designers and technological knowledge about the app. Results of a representative German sample (N = 952) revealed that app-users had less privacy concerns, perceived more usage benefits, had more trust and more knowledge about the app than non-adopters. Additionally, a path model revealed that perceiving benefits of the app was more important than having privacy concerns. Trust can help to overcome privacy concerns and to boost benefit perception. Results are discussed concerning consequences for communication strategies when launching technology whose adoption should help in mitigating dangers of pandemics.

Privacy concerns with COVID-19 tracking apps: a privacy calculus approach

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Teresa Fernandes ◽  
Marta Costa
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation ◽  
Contact Tracing ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Unique Challenge ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Privacy Concerns ◽  
Societal Benefits ◽  
Privacy Calculus ◽  
Moderating Role

Purpose The COVID-19 pandemic represents a unique challenge for public health worldwide. In this context, smartphone-based tracking apps play an important role in controlling transmission. However, privacy concerns may compromise the population’s willingness to adopt this mobile health (mHealth) technology. Based on the privacy calculus theory, this study aims to examine what factors drive or hinder adoption and disclosure, considering the moderating role of age and health status. Design/methodology/approach A cross-sectional survey was conducted in a European country hit by the pandemic that has recently launched a COVID-19 contact-tracing app. Data from 504 potential users was analyzed through partial least squares structural equation modeling. Findings Results indicate that perceived benefits and privacy concerns impact adoption and disclosure and confirm the existence of a privacy paradox. However, for young and healthy users, only benefits have a significant effect. Moreover, older people value more personal than societal benefits while for respondents with a chronical disease privacy concerns outweigh personal benefits. Originality/value The study contributes to consumer privacy research and to the mHealth literature, where privacy issues have been rarely explored, particularly regarding COVID-19 contact-tracing apps. The study re-examines the privacy calculus by incorporating societal benefits and moving from a traditional “self-focus” approach to an “other-focus” perspective. This study further adds to prior research by examining the moderating role of age and health condition, two COVID-19 risk factors. This study thus offers critical insights for governments and health organizations aiming to use these tools to reduce COVID-19 transmission rates.

Can fake news really change behaviour? Evidence from a study of COVID-19 misinformation.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ciara Greene ◽  
Gillian Murphy
Keyword(s):  
Empirical Research ◽  
Health Behaviour ◽  
Real World ◽  
Empirical Data ◽  
Contact Tracing ◽  
Fake News ◽  
Behavioural Intentions ◽  
The Real ◽  
News Stories

Previous research has argued that fake news may have grave consequences for health behaviour, but surprisingly, no empirical data have been provided to support this assumption. This issue takes on new urgency in the context of the coronavirus pandemic. In this large preregistered study (N = 3746) we investigated the effect of exposure to fabricated news stories about COVID-19 on related behavioural intentions. We observed small but measurable effects on some related behavioural intentions but not others – for example, participants who read a story about problems with a forthcoming contact-tracing app reported reduced willingness to download the app. We found no effects of providing a general warning about the dangers of online misinformation on response to the fake stories, regardless of the framing of the warning in positive or negative terms. We conclude with a call for more empirical research on the real-world consequences of fake news.

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