Evaluating and Comparing the Usability of Privacy in WhatsApp, Twitter, and Snapchat

Abdulmohsen S Albesher,Thamer Alhussain

doi:10.14569/ijacsa.2021.0120829

Abstract

With the increased use of social networking platforms, especially with the inclusion of sensitive personal information, it has become important for those platforms to have adequate levels of security and privacy. This research aimed to evaluate the usability of privacy in the WhatsApp, Twitter, and Snapchat applications. The evaluation was conducted based on the structured analysis of privacy (STRAP) framework. Seven expert evaluators performed heuristic evaluations and applied the 11 STRAP heuristics to the privacy policy statements and settings provided in the WhatsApp, Twitter, and Snapchat applications. This study provides useful information for designers and developers of social media applications as well as users of the apps. In particular, the results indicate that Snapchat had the highest severity rating, followed by Twitter and WhatsApp. Moreover, the most notable severity rating for all the apps was regarding the ability to revoke consent, where all of the apps had a very high number of usability problems.

Highlights

Individuals are becoming more reliant on social media platforms as essential mediums for communication
This paper evaluates the usability of privacy settings and policies in the WhatsApp, Twitter, and Snapchat apps within the structured analysis of privacy (STRAP) framework [5]
The study provides useful information for designers and developers of social media applications as well as users of the apps to enhance the usability of privacy

Summary

Introduction

Individuals are becoming more reliant on social media platforms as essential mediums for communication. The global average penetration rate for social media increased from 40% in 2018 to 49% in 2020 [1]. Social media platforms provide individuals with ways to interface and offer information and snapshots of their lives. As the commitment of users to social networking platforms expands, the volume of private and personal data that is shared online increases in a like manner. While these platforms offer privacy settings so that users can secure their online privacy, several reports (as cited in [3]) have shown that the average social media user does not change his or her security settings. Albesher and Alhussain [4] discussed the reasons for not adjusting privacy settings, which included a lack of awareness of the possible risks, the time it takes to read and understand each setting, and the diversity of the settings

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