“Your Privacy Is Very Important to Us”: American Mobile Ventures’ Privacy Management

• In Event: ICA Plenary Interactive Paper/Poster Session III
  In Interactive Paper Session: Communication Law and Policy Interactive Poster Session

Abstract

This research examines privacy practices in the mobile technology and media industry in the U.S. Drawing on in-depth interviews with 27 entrepreneurs and advocates, research questions include 1) factors that contribute to the problematic status of identity and privacy issues, 2) approaches entrepreneurs use to develop their privacy policies and privacy practices, 3) how their privacy policies and practices fare in terms of accessibility, transparency and accountability, and 4) whether and how entrepreneurs leverage identity and privacy management as a competitive advantage for starting up, developing products, and innovation. Offering a better understanding of privacy management as part of the mobile entrepreneurship process, a producer’s perspective enriches the existing literature dominated by the consumer side of the story. Policy and practical implications for entrepreneurship, consumer protection, and citizen empowerment are discussed.

Authors

• Wenhong Chen, U of Texas - Austin

• Gejun Huang, University of Texas at Austin

• Joshua Miller, U of Texas at Austin

• Kye-Hyoung Lee, U of Texas at Austin

• Daniel J. Mauro, University of Texas at Austin

• Bryan Stephens, U of Texas at Austin

• Xiaoqian Li, University of Texas at Austin