• Information Technology
  • Human Resources
  • Careers
  • Giving
  • Library
  • Bookstore
  • Active Living
  • Continuing Education
  • Go Dinos
  • UCalgary Maps
  • UCalgary Directory
  • Academic Calendar
My UCalgary
Webmail
D2L
ARCHIBUS
IRISS
  • Faculty of Arts
  • Cumming School of Medicine
  • Faculty of Environmental Design
  • Faculty of Graduate Studies
  • Haskayne School of Business
  • Faculty of Kinesiology
  • Faculty of Law
  • Faculty of Nursing
  • Faculty of Nursing (Qatar)
  • Schulich School of Engineering
  • Faculty of Science
  • Faculty of Social Work
  • Faculty of Veterinary Medicine
  • Werklund School of Education
  • Information TechnologiesIT
  • Human ResourcesHR
  • Careers
  • Giving
  • Library
  • Bookstore
  • Active Living
  • Continuing Education
  • Go Dinos
  • UCalgary Maps
  • UCalgary Directory
  • Academic Calendar
  • Libraries and Cultural Resources
View Item 
  •   PRISM Home
  • School of Public Policy
  • Master of Public Policy Capstone Projects
  • View Item
  •   PRISM Home
  • School of Public Policy
  • Master of Public Policy Capstone Projects
  • View Item
JavaScript is disabled for your browser. Some features of this site may not work without it.

Privacy Challenges of Apps

Thumbnail
Download
Gerke, Jocelyn.pdf (865.0Kb)
Download Record
Download to EndNote/RefMan (RIS)
Download to BibTex
Advisor
Mintz, Jack
Author
Gerke, Jocelyn
Accessioned
2016-09-28T21:32:21Z
Available
2016-09-28T21:32:21Z
Issued
2013-09
Type
report
Metadata
Show full item record

Abstract
Technology’s capabilities are rapidly expanding and apps, officially known as applications, exemplify this growth. Downloading an app on a smartphone or a tablet expands its capabilities, supplying the device with the power of a computer yet far more mobile. However, apps’ capabilities also have a more sinister side, collecting mass amounts of personal information from users without their full knowledge. Given this threat to consumer privacy, new legislation must be developed and updated to safeguard users against privacy infringements and maintain trust in the marketplace. This paper demonstrates the gap in Canadian privacy regulation regarding apps and presents that additional legislation is required for greater accountability, transparency, and user choice. Smartphones are increasingly populating the mobile landscape, with a sizable amount of personal information flowing through these powerful devices. One concern is that smartphones are highly mobile and always-on devices that are perpetually with the user, allowing location tracking. A small screen size also impedes companies’ ability to effectively communicate to the user what personal information is being collected, and the rapid development lifecycle of apps increases the probability of inadequate considerations. Although consumers value information obtained through using apps, they also wish to protect their personal information and privacy. Likewise, businesses value consumer behaviour information acquired through consumer usage of apps, information that enables them to understand and effectively target their consumers. Consequently, consumers’ personal information holds value— and challenges—for consumers and producers of apps alike. In 2007, the first app was created for Apple’s iPhone. Since then the app market has exploded, as users are increasingly using apps to access location information, social media, entertainment, and other information. As the app industry is largely unregulated, this presents privacy concerns as to the amount of personal information being collected, with whom it is shared, and for how long it is retained. In essence, a lack of disclosure and transparency exists on the part of app developers and providers.
Refereed
Yes
Citation
Gerke, Jocelyn. (2013). Privacy Challenges of Apps ( Unpublished master's thesis). University of Calgary, Calgary, AB.
Department
The School of Public Policy
Faculty
Faculty of Graduate Studies
Institution
University of Calgary
Doi
http://dx.doi.org/10.11575/PRISM/30068
Uri
http://hdl.handle.net/1880/51605
Collections
  • Graduate Capstones
  • Master of Public Policy Capstone Projects

Browse

All of PRISMCommunities & CollectionsBy Issue DateAuthorsTitlesSubjectsThis CollectionBy Issue DateAuthorsTitlesSubjects

My Account

LoginRegister

Download Results

Statistics

Most Popular ItemsStatistics by CountryMost Popular Authors

  • Email
  • SMS
  • 403.220.8895
  • Live Chat

Energize: The Campaign for Eyes High

Privacy Policy
Website feedback

University of Calgary
2500 University Drive NW
Calgary, AB T2N 1N4
CANADA

Copyright © 2017