EXPLORING FACTORS INFLUENCING ADOPTION AND USAGE OF PRIVACY-ENHANCING TOOLS AMONG SMARTPHONE USERS

In this era of digital surveillance and data breaches, it is important to understand how users protect their smartphone privacy. There needs to be more detailed information regarding the prevalence, factors, and motivations influencing the adoption of privacy-enhancing tools and settings on mobile devices. This study aimed to address this knowledge gap by investigating the use of privacy tools among smartphone users and examining the impact of factors like demographics, awareness levels, and device platforms.

The study surveyed 342 participants recruited through Amazon Mechanical Turk (MTurk), and the data were analyzed. The survey gathered data on user characteristics, privacy concerns, experiences with breaches, and use of various privacy tools. Statistical analysis showed that demographic factors, particularly age, significantly influenced the use of privacy tools, aligning with previous research. Users with a higher awareness of digital privacy risks were likelier to adopt privacy-enhancing tools. The study found no significant difference in the prevalence and type of privacy tools used between iOS and Android users.

The study's focus on privacy-enhancing tools among smartphone users and the proposed hypotheses provide valuable insights for law enforcement and forensic practitioners, aiding in digital investigations, evidence collection, and understanding user behavior related to smartphone privacy measures. The study's outcomes contribute to digital forensics, cybersecurity, and privacy domains by providing insights into user behaviors, motivations, and the factors shaping privacy tool adoption on smartphones. These findings can inform the development of more user-centric privacy tools, policies, and educational campaigns, ultimately enhancing digital privacy protection and supporting law enforcement investigations in the digital age.