Proposing A Unified Concept of Information Privacy: An Actor/Action-Oriented Approach

Abstract

This conceptual paper introduces a contemporary conceptualization of information privacy to align with the reality of its multifaceted nature amid rapid technological advancements and enmeshed diverse perspectives. We propose a unified approach emphasizing the dynamic nature of information privacy as it interacts with the evolving digital landscape. This new encompassing conceptualization integrates theoretical perspectives from existing research on infrastructure, institutional, regulatory systems, and individuals as actors and expands actors’ actions from sole data flows to encompass data inference. This conceptualization empowers a deeper understanding and mitigation of the entanglement and multilayered nature of information privacy, laying the groundwork for future research and practical applications in privacy research. By incorporating action- and actor-oriented perspectives, our unified conceptualization offers a robust framework for assessing and managing privacy risks in an increasingly complex digital ecosystem.