Managing Privacy of User Generated Information in a Web 2.0 World

Anil Kumar, Central Michigan University, anil.kumar@cmich.edu
Poonam Kumar, Saginaw Valley State University, pkumar@svsu.edu

ABSTRACT:

Web 2.0 based social networking services (SNSs) have experienced phenomenal
growth in the last several years. The potential economic benefits created by the
growth of these SNSs have been accompanied by challenges to managing privacy of
user-generated information. As the growth of these SNSs continues organizations
struggle to cope with managing privacy of user generated information. This paper
identifies three principles that if followed will help an organization ensure that
privacy of user generated information on SNSs is managed effectively. Failure to
address privacy by SNSs can lead to legal challenges by users, privacy advocacy
groups, society and the government. Increased legislation that is harsh and
unpopular will limit SNSs from exploiting economic opportunities and users of these
applications can end up losing a potential source of sharing data with friends and
family.