Security News > 2020 > April > Why people talk a good game about privacy, but fail to follow up in real life?

While most people will say they are extremely concerned with their online privacy, previous experiments have shown that, in practice, users readily divulge privacy information online.

A team of Penn State researchers identified a dozen subtle - but powerful - reasons that may shed light on why people talk a good game about privacy, but fail to follow up in real life.

"But, in reality, if you really look at what people do online and on social media, they tend to reveal all too much. What we think is going on is that people make disclosures in the heat of the moment by falling for contextual cues that appear on an interface."

For the authority cue, Rosson said that a graphic that signals the site is being overseen by a trusted authority may make people comfortable with turning private information over to the company.

An awareness of major cues that prey on common rules of thumb may make people more savvy web users and could help them avoid placing their private information into the wrong hands.

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