Towards explaining the willingness to disclose personal self-tracking data to service providers

Abstract

Users of digital self-tracking devices increasingly benefit from multiple services related to their self-tracking data. Simultaneously, service providers are dependent from these data to offer such services. Thereby, the willingness of users to provide such personal data heavily depends on benefits and risks associated with the disclosure. In this regard, the aim of our research is to investigate the factors influencing the willingness to disclose personal self-tracking data to service providers. So far, IS re-search has largely focused on private information disclosure in social media and little in the health and behavior context. To advance research in this area, we develop a conceptual model based on the privacy calculus by building on established information disclosure and privacy theories. With our re-search, we aim at contributing to both a better theoretical understanding in the fields of privacy and information disclosure and giving practical implications for service provider.