Privacy Concerns for Web Logging Data

Abstract

This chapter examines two aspects of privacy concerns that must be considered when conducting studies that include the collection of Web logging data. After providing background about privacy concerns, we first address the standard privacy issues when dealing with participant data. These include privacy implications of releasing data, methods of safeguarding data, and issues encountered with re-use of data. Second, the impact of data collection techniques on a researcher’s ability to capture natural user behaviors is discussed. Key recommendations are offered about how to enhance participant privacy when collecting Web logging data so as to encourage these natural behaviors. The author hopes that understanding the privacy issues associated with the logging of user actions on the Web will assist researchers as they evaluate the tradeoffs inherent between the type of logging conducted, the richness of the data gathered, and the naturalness of captured user behavior.