Online Service Switching Intentions and Attitudes towards Data Portability - The Role of Technology-related Attitudes and Privacy

Robert Luzsa, Susanne Mayr, Emmanuel Syrmoudis, Jens Grossklags, Sophie Kübler-Wachendorff, Johann Kranz

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

5 Scopus citations

Abstract

The European General Data Protection Regulation aims at empowering users of online services. In particular, the Right to Data Portability is intended to facilitate switching between online services by allowing users to port data between service providers. However, little is known about psychological factors that influence whether users desire switching between services and using data portability. Identifying such factors could support the design of user-friendly data portability solutions and awareness-raising measures, thereby strengthening users' digital sovereignty. The present study therefore examines predictors of users' intentions to switch online services and their attitudes towards data portability (i.e., intention to use portability). Drawing upon related research, switching intentions and attitudes towards data portability are assumed to be affected by users' technology acceptance, technology competency and subjective importance of privacy. An online quantitative questionnaire study with a large, sociodemographically diverse German sample (N = 995) was conducted, and data were analyzed via logistic regression modelling. The results reveal that switching intentions are more prevalent among users who attach great importance to privacy, users who are open towards new technologies, as well as younger users and users with a university degree. Higher importance of privacy and higher technology competency are linked to an increased desire to use data portability. Users reported the greatest need for data portability for data-storage (i.e., cloud) services. From the results, conclusions for implementing user-friendly data portability solutions and public information campaigns are drawn, and directions for further user-centered research on online service switching and data portability are discussed.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationMensch und Computer 2022
Subtitle of host publicationFacing Realities, MuC 2022 - Proceedings
EditorsMax Muhlhauser, Christian Reuter, Bastian Pfleging, Thomas Kosch, Andrii Matviienko, Kathrin Gerling, Sven Mayer, Wilko Heuten, Tanja Doring
PublisherAssociation for Computing Machinery
Pages1-13
Number of pages13
ISBN (Electronic)9781450396905
DOIs
StatePublished - 4 Sep 2022
Event2022 Mensch und Computer Conference: Facing Realities, MuC 2022 - 2022 Conference on Humans and Computers, MuC 2022 - Darmstadt, Germany
Duration: 4 Sep 20227 Sep 2022

Publication series

NameACM International Conference Proceeding Series

Conference

Conference2022 Mensch und Computer Conference: Facing Realities, MuC 2022 - 2022 Conference on Humans and Computers, MuC 2022
Country/TerritoryGermany
CityDarmstadt
Period4/09/227/09/22

Keywords

  • consumer behavior
  • online privacy
  • online services
  • service switching
  • technology attitudes

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