Journal of Systemics, Cybernetics and Informatics (Apr 2019)
The Strive for Preserving Online Anonymity as a Trigger for Online Identity Falsification
Abstract
In this exploratory study we investigate the main reasons and triggers for users to not disclose their personal details, or even to create a fake identity and provide falsified information upon website registration. In addition, we will examine the centrality of the desire to maintain online anonymity among the other antecedents of non-disclosure of personal details or identity falsification. Various reasons for non-disclosure of personal details or identity falsification were considered, such as the desire to remain anonymous. To this end, a user study was carried out among 169 students of the Israeli academia, via a quantitative method using closed-ended questionnaires. The desire to remain anonymous was found as the most prevalent reason for this behavior and was always ranked as one of the top reasons among every sub-population that was examined (e.g. men / women, Bachelor / Master students, etc.). In addition, we made an attempt to predict the tendency of non-disclosure of personal details or identity falsification upon website registration, by using a multiple logistic regression taking into account various privacy and anonymity related reasons, such as anonymity awareness and privacy concern. However, it was found insignificant for the factors examined.
