Abstract

One of the major concerns about online social networks (OSNs) is privacy. We introduce visualization and numeric audience information as potential interface solutions to the problem of privacy behaviors that are misaligned with privacy preferences. Findings from a large study with participants of all ages and from a broad range of backgrounds suggest that for both current and potential users, augmenting an interface with a visualization or numeric display of the audience helps people disclose in a way that is more in line with their own preferences. We conclude by proposing that audience visualization and quantification tools have the potential to assist users in achieving their privacy goals while using OSNs, and have the potential to enhance privacy in other information systems as well.

Keywords: Privacy, social network, visualization, disclosure, information sharing.