Privacy and Consumer Agency in the Information Age: Between Prying Profilers and Preening Webcams

Authors

Nikhilesh Dholakia, University of Rhode IslandFollow
Detlev Zwick, University of Rhode Island

Document Type

Article

Date of Original Version

2001

Embargo Date

1-8-2013

Abstract

This article is about the ability of the consumer to control his or her destiny in the new electronic marketspace. Two seemingly opposite phenomena – the need for privacy and the desire for exhibitionism and voyeurism – are vying for attention on the media landscape. We believe the simultaneous occurrence of privacy concerns and ultraexhibitionism is not coincidental. Indeed, exhibitionism and voyeurism seem to offer new tools for consumer resistance against the electronic surveillance systems in networked markets and are inextricably linked to consumers’ desire for control over their intimate personal information.

Citation/Publisher Attribution

Dholakia, Nikhilesh and Detlev Zwick. “Privacy and Consumer Agency in the Information Age: Between Prying Profilers and Preening Webcams.” Journal of Research for the Consumer, vol. 1, no. 1 (2001).

Available at: http://jrconsumers.com/Academic_Articles/issue_1/DholakiaZwick.pdf.

Publisher Statement

Copyright the Journal of Research for Consumers 2001.