Understanding User Privacy and Disclosure Decisions in Virtual Reality

Abstract

Understanding the thought process behind users’ disclosure of sensitive personal information in the Virtual Reality (VR) context is essential for addressing the unique privacy issues posed by the extensive and distinctive data collection of VR. Our research focuses on understanding VR users’ underlying motivations for disclosing personal information or withholding it while they access VR services. We designed twelve game-based scenarios to simulate real-life privacy challenges encountered during VR usage and recruited participants to engage with these scenarios. Our proposed structural equation model suggests that disclosure decisions are influenced by anticipated outcomes, trust, and perceived risks, contingent upon the type of data being collected. In addition, the semantic analysis revealed VR users’ disclosure decisions were shaped by their perceptions of data sensitivity, expectations of potential outcomes, and past experiences with data collection. Our study offers insights into privacy-centric designs and guide the development of responsible interactions in the VR environment.

Keywords

virtual reality extended realities user experience human factors and behavior cybersecurity

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