Comprehension, Perception, and Projection: The Role of Situation Awareness in User Decision Autonomy When Providing eConsent

Wendy Rowan, Yvonne O'Connor, Laura Lynch, Ciara Heavin

Source Title: Journal of Organizational and End User Computing (JOEUC)33(6)

ISSN: 1546-2234|EISSN: 1546-5012|EISBN13: 9781799867494|DOI: 10.4018/JOEUC.286766

MLA

Rowan, Wendy, et al. "Comprehension, Perception, and Projection: The Role of Situation Awareness in User Decision Autonomy When Providing eConsent." JOEUC vol.33, no.6 2021: pp.1-31. http://doi.org/10.4018/JOEUC.286766

APA

Rowan, W., O'Connor, Y., Lynch, L., & Heavin, C. (2021). Comprehension, Perception, and Projection: The Role of Situation Awareness in User Decision Autonomy When Providing eConsent. Journal of Organizational and End User Computing (JOEUC), 33(6), 1-31. http://doi.org/10.4018/JOEUC.286766

Chicago

Rowan, Wendy, et al. "Comprehension, Perception, and Projection: The Role of Situation Awareness in User Decision Autonomy When Providing eConsent," Journal of Organizational and End User Computing (JOEUC) 33, no.6: 1-31. http://doi.org/10.4018/JOEUC.286766

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Abstract

Health social networks (HSNs) allow individuals with health information needs to connect and discuss health-related issues online. Political-technology intertwinement (e.g. GDPR and Digital Technology) highlights that users need to be aware, understand, and willing to provide electronic consent (eConsent) when sharing personal information online. The objective of this study is to explore the ‘As-Is’ factors which impact individuals’ decisional autonomy when consenting to the privacy policy (PP) and Terms and Conditions (T&Cs) on a HSN. We use a Situational Awareness (SA) lens to examine decision autonomy when providing eConsent. A mixed-methods approach reveals that technical and privacy comprehension, user perceptions, and projection of future consequences impact participants’ decision autonomy in providing eConsent. Without dealing with the privacy paradox at the outset, decision awareness and latterly decision satisfaction is negatively impacted. Movement away from clickwrap online consent to customised two-way engagement is the way forward for the design of eConsent.