The Sociology of Resignation: Examining the Digital Privacy Attitudes and Behaviours of East Yorkers

• In Event: 4125 - Section on Communication, Information Technologies, and Media Sociology Refereed Roundtable Session
  In Refereed Roundtable (60 min): Topic 2: Digital Technologies and Crime, Privacy, and Security

Abstract

Digital media are a central part of everyday life in many parts of the world, creating a range of privacy risks through data collection and aggregation practices. Further, the upsurge in use of social networking platforms has also created opportunities for privacy violations through institutional and social surveillance. Employing a qualitative thematic analysis, this study explores how 101 adults living in the East York section of Toronto navigate privacy challenges. The interviewed participants expressed feelings of loss of control and resignation with regard to their digital data. A key theme was the participants’ desire and attempts to gain agency when using digital media. This study supports the rich and developing body of literature on the sociology of resignation. As such, it challenges the notion that digital users are unconcerned about their data online and argues for a reevaluation of the "informed" and "empowered" actor metaphor at the heart of the privacy paradox debate.

Authors

• Kaitlyn Cavacas, Western University

• Molly-Gloria Rachelle Harper, Western University

• Anabel Quan-Haase, Western University

• Barry Wellman, NetLab Network