UC San Diego

Privacy communication takes many forms, from blog posts to news articles to advertisements. Existing privacy communication often falls short, misleading and discouraging readers. For example, confusing descriptions of privacy-enhancing technologies can lead users to overestimate their protective capabilities. In this dissertation, I examine the shortcomings of existing privacy communication, study the effects of privacy communication on data-sharing behavior, and explore opportunities for improvement. I use a range of methods, such as online surveys and interview studies, to design better ways to communicate about privacy that support engagement with privacy issues.