Exploring the Perceived Measures of Privacy: RFID in Public Applications

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to explore the measures that may protect privacy of the users - in the context of RFID use in public applications. More specifically, this study investigates what the users perceive to have securing their privacy, particularly for the RFID applications in public uses. Qualitative research approach has been utilised for this study. The author conducted two focus-group discussion sessions and eight in-depth interviews in two countries: one from Australasia region (Australia) and the other from Asia (Bangladesh), assuming that the status, and the perceptions and tolerance of the citizens on privacy issues are different in the stated regions. The explored factors have been analysed from privacy perspectives. The findings show that, in developed and developing countries, the basic perceptions of the users on privacy protection are complimentary; however, privacy is a more serious concern in Australia than in Bangladesh. Data analysis proposed some attributes that may improve users’ privacy perceptions when RFID is used in public applications. This study is the single initiative that focuses on privacy of RFID users from national-use context. As practical implication, the proposed attributes can be exercised by the deploying agencies that implement RFID technology for citizens’ use.