Privacy Cynicism and its Role in Privacy Decision-Making

In the era of data-driven communication, managing one’s online privacy is a necessary, yet burdensome challenge. While individuals have concerns about firms’ data collection practices, they sometimes appear to disclose personal information for relatively small rewards. We demonstrate that cynicism—an attitude toward protection characterized by frustration, hopelessness, and disillusionment—explains this paradox moderating relationship between appraisal threats coping behaviors on one side, other side. Results U.S. national survey ( N = 993) show cynicism negatively related significantly moderates relationships perceived vulnerability, response efficacy, disclosure benefits, costs behaviors. Hence, work has important implications communication theory extending existing models management behaviors, as well practice, stressing importance creating awareness cynicism.