When the mobile app is free, the product is your personal data

2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 89-101 ◽  
Author(s):  
Spyros E. Polykalas ◽  
George N. Prezerakos
Keyword(s):  
Significant Interaction ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Mobile Apps ◽  
Personal Data ◽  
Mobile App ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Past ◽  
And Behavior ◽  
Google Play ◽  
The Eu

Purpose Mobile devices (smartphones, tables etc.) have become the de facto means of accessing the internet. While traditional Web browsing is still quite popular, significant interaction takes place via native mobile apps that can be downloaded either freely or at a cost. This has opened the door to a number of issues related to privacy protection since the smartphone stores and processes personal data. The purpose of this paper is to examine the extent of access to personal data, required by the most popular mobile apps available in Google Play store. In addition, it is examined whether the relevant procedure is in accordance with the provisions of the new EU Regulation. Design/methodology/approach The paper examines more than a thousand mobile apps, available from the Google Play store, with respect to the extent of the requests for access to personal data. In particular, for each available category in Google Play store, the most popular mobile apps have been examined both for free and paid apps. In addition, the permissions required by free and paid mobile apps are compared. Furthermore, a correlation analysis is carried out aiming to reveal any correlation between the extent of required access to personal data and the popularity and the rating of each mobile app. Findings The findings of this paper suggest that the majority of examined mobile apps require access to personal data to a high extent. In addition, it is found that free mobile apps request access to personal data in a higher extent compared to the relevant requests by paid apps, which indicates strongly that the business model of free mobile apps is based on personal data exploitation. The most popular types of access permissions are revealed for both free and paid apps. In addition, important questions are raised in relation to user awareness and behavior, data minimization and purpose limitation for free and paid mobile apps. Originality/value In this study, the process and the extent of access to personal data through mobile apps are analyzed. Although several studies analyzed relevant issues in the past, the originality of this research is mainly based on the following facts: first, this work took into account the recent Regulation of the EU in relation to personal data (GDPR); second, the authors analyzed a high number of the most popular mobile apps (more than a thousand); and third, the authors compare and analyze the different approaches followed between free and paid mobile apps.

scholarly journals Analytics for measuring library use and satisfaction of mobile apps

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Simran Kaur ◽  
Rupak Chakravarty
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Mobile Apps ◽  
Mobile App ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Library Use ◽  
Artificial Intelligence Algorithm ◽  
Android App ◽  
Google Play ◽  
Insight Into ◽  
User Review

Purpose User review is a significant component of mobile app markets such as the Google Play Store, App Store, Microsoft Store and others. Users submit their reviews for downloaded apps on these sites in the form of star ratings and text reviews. Apps can contain huge volumes of feedback, making it difficult for the user and the developer to skim through thousands of such reviews to get an insight into usage and impact of such apps. Thus, the current study aims to assess the usage and satisfaction among users of the Mendeley’s Android app vs iOS app. Design/methodology/approach The analytics are performed by using Appbot analytics software which captured, monitored, measured and analyzed the review results for a particular period. Appbot provides easy-to-understand insights of an app using artificial intelligence algorithm tools. Findings The findings of the study reveal strong inclination, adoption and usage of Mendeley’s Android app compared to that of iOS among users. Originality/value The value of this research is in getting an insight of the pattern/behavior of users towards using apps on different platforms (Android vs iOS) and provides valuable results for the app developers in monitoring usage and enhancing features for the satisfaction of users. Without mobile app analytics, one will be blindly trying out different things without any evidence to back up their experiments.

Explaining tourist behavioral loyalty toward mobile apps

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 415-430
Author(s):  
José-Alberto Castañeda ◽  
María-José Martínez-Heredia ◽  
Miguel-Ángel Rodríguez-Molina
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Mobile Apps ◽  
Cost Benefit ◽  
Internet Access ◽  
Mobile App ◽  
Unified Theory ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Behavioral Loyalty ◽  
Use Of Technology ◽  
Continued Use

Purpose The overall tourist experience is changing because of the development of mobile devices, ubiquitous internet access and applications (apps) designed specifically for tourism. The aim of this study is to identify the determinants of continued use and recommendation of such apps (loyalty), framed within the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT2) model, considering innate user traits (innovativeness) and one of the principal attributes of mobile phones (portability). Design/methodology/approach The sample comprised 285 Spanish tourists who owned a smartphone and were using some kind of mobile app in connection with their stay. Findings The results show that the UTAUT2 model is effective in explaining loyalty toward tourism apps and that its variables mediate the effect of user and mobile device characteristics. Research limitations/implications To ensure continued use of a tourism app, it should possess the following core attributes: deliver a positive cost–benefit trade-off, be fun to use, provide up-to-date and useful information and generate a degree of dependency in the user. Originality/value The present research is particularly relevant because of its focus on the use of apps during the stay, given that most of the extant literature centers on previous stages (such as service booking).

Converting debt into equity in private limited companies in Thailand

2020 ◽  
Vol 63 (1) ◽  
pp. 97-123
Author(s):  
Adam Reekie
Keyword(s):  
Supreme Court ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Close Reading ◽  
Legal Capital ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Past ◽  
Original Intention ◽  
Commercial Code ◽  
Historical Investigation ◽  
The Eu

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to critically examine the prohibition on debt-to-equity conversions for private limited companies in Thailand, resulting from an interpretation of Section 1119 of the Thai Civil and Commercial Code (TCCC) adopted by academics and the regulator. Design/methodology/approach This paper critically examines the interpretation of Section 1119 of the TCCC made by academics, the Thai Supreme Court and the regulator. Taking an approach, which draws on debate in the EU over the past two decades, this paper presents a new understanding of the rules relating to legal capital in Thailand. This new understanding is applied to challenge the orthodox interpretation of Section 1119. Findings The interpretation proposed by this paper is that debt-to-equity conversions may be permitted when viewed as shares issued in return for payment in kind. This proposed interpretation is consistent with existing Thai Supreme Court jurisprudence. In addition, a close reading of the provision, further supported by a historical investigation into the legislative drafting process, reveals that it reflects the original intention behind this provision. Originality/value This paper presents a view of Thai legal capital rules, which challenges the orthodox understanding of their nature, purpose and categorisation. Furthermore, the proposed interpretation of Section 1119 of the TCCC, if adopted by the regulator, would permit Thai private limited companies to engage in debt-to-equity swaps without further legislative intervention.

Getting acquainted with social networks and apps: Instagram’s instant appeal

2016 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 11-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katie Elson Anderson
Keyword(s):  
Social Networks ◽  
Social Media ◽  
Social Networking ◽  
Digital Media ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Mobile App ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Smartphone Apps ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Past

Purpose The rise in the popularity of smartphone apps is hard to ignore. People are accessing information and connecting through social media on their smartphones at increasing rates. Design/methodology/approach This paper is a literature review. Findings Almost half of the total digital media time spent by US adults is spent on smartphone apps. Smartphone apps account for two-thirds of all growth in digital media engagement in the past two years, and those users spend the most time using social networking apps. Originality/value Photo apps were found to have some of the highest engagement in users, and the photo app Instagram is the second most used mobile app among US adults in the age group of 18-34 years.

Mobile app users' privacy concerns: different heuristics for privacy assurance statements in the EU and China

2022 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Hudson ◽  
Yi Liu
Keyword(s):  
Mobile Apps ◽  
Mobile App ◽  
Ecological Rationality ◽  
Mobile Users ◽  
Online Information ◽  
Privacy Regulation ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Privacy Concerns ◽  
Validation Experiment ◽  
The Eu

PurposeAs mobile apps request permissions from users, protecting mobile users' personal information from being unnecessarily collected and misused becomes critical. Privacy regulations, such as General Data Protection Regulation in the European Union (EU), aim to protect users' online information privacy. However, one’s understanding of whether these regulations effectively make mobile users less concerned about their privacy is still limited. This work aims to study mobile users' privacy concerns towards mobile apps by examining the effects of general and specific privacy assurance statements in China and the EU.Design/methodology/approachDrawing on ecological rationality and heuristics theory, an online experiment and a follow-up validation experiment were conducted in the EU and China to examine the effects of privacy assurance statements on mobile users' privacy concerns.FindingsWhen privacy regulation is presented, the privacy concerns of Chinese mobile users are significantly lowered compared with EU mobile users. This indicates that individuals in the two regions react differently to privacy assurances. However, when a general regulation statement is used, no effect is observed. EU and Chinese respondents remain unaffected by general assurance statements.Originality/valueThis study incorporates notions from fast and frugal heuristics end ecological rationality – where seemingly irrational decisions may make sense in different societal contexts.

scholarly journals Mobile Fitness and Weight Management Apps: Protocol for a Quality Evaluation (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Madison Milne-Ives ◽  
Ching Lam ◽  
Michelle van Velthoven ◽  
Edward Meinert
Keyword(s):  
Weight Management ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Mobile Apps ◽  
Noncommunicable Diseases ◽  
Behavior Change Techniques ◽  
The Past ◽  
Mobile Health Apps ◽  
And Behavior ◽  
Google Play

BACKGROUND Obesity is a contributing factor for many noncommunicable diseases and a growing problem worldwide. Many mobile apps have been developed to help users improve their fitness and weight management behaviors. However, the speed at which apps are created and updated means that it is important to periodically assess their quality. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study is to evaluate the quality of fitness and weight management mobile health apps using the Mobile Application Rating Scale (MARS). It will also describe the features of the included apps and compare the results to a previous evaluation conducted in 2015. METHODS Searches for “fitness,” “weight,” “exercise,” “physical activity,” “diet,” “eat*,” and “food” will be conducted in the Apple App Store and Google Play. Apps that have been updated over the past 5 years will be included. Two reviewers will rate the apps’ quality using the MARS objective and subjective quality subscales. Interrater reliability will also be assessed. Features included in high-quality apps will be assessed, and changes in quality, features, and behavior change techniques made during the past 5 years will be described. RESULTS The results will be included in the evaluation paper, which we aim to publish in 2020. CONCLUSIONS This evaluation will assess the quality of currently available fitness and weight management apps. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT PRR1-10.2196/17685

Usability study of the mobile library App: an example from Chongqing University

2015 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 340-355 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qunyi Wei ◽  
Zhaoxin Chang ◽  
Qin Cheng
Keyword(s):  
User Experience ◽  
User Satisfaction ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Mobile Apps ◽  
Mobile App ◽  
Information Services ◽  
Usability Study ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Post Test ◽  
Effectiveness And Efficiency

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to determine the usability of the mobile library App of Chongqing University and to provide recommendations for improving the experience of App users. Design/methodology/approach – Usability testing, which comprised pre-test questionnaires, accomplishing tasks, and post-test surveys, was conducted in this study. The effectiveness and efficiency of the App, as well as user satisfaction with it, were measured. Findings – The mobile App was proven effective but the efficiency of the App required improvement. With regard to user satisfaction, the factors “clarity” and “usefulness” received the lowest and highest scores, respectively. The descriptions of mobile services were unclear and confused users; nonetheless, the services provided by this App were appealing and useful to the users. Based on the measured user experience, this study proposed several recommendations for enhancing the usability of the App. Originality/value – An increasing number of domestic and foreign libraries have begun to use mobile Apps to provide new services to patrons. In the future, smartphones are likely to become crucial to the delivery of information services. Given the extensive use of the Super Star Mobile Library system adopted by Chongqing University Library in China, the usability of such a system must be investigated. Improving the usability of the mobile library App can help enhance user experience.

Mobile app recommendations: travel apps

2016 ◽  
Vol 33 (6) ◽  
pp. 16-18
Author(s):  
Kristen Julia Anderson
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Mobile Apps ◽  
Mobile App ◽  
Decision Making Process ◽  
Interlibrary Loan ◽  
Digital Resources ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Travel Guide ◽  
Travel Books

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to provide a list of various travel-themed mobile apps that librarians might recommend as a supplement to other print/digital resources. Summer is a time when many people take the chance to escape on a much-needed vacation. As a librarian, whether you work in a public or academic institution, chances are you will be asked at one point or another where the travel books in your library are located. Design/methodology/approach There is always the possibility that the travel books in need may already be checked out or that the patron will not have time to wait for an interlibrary loan request to arrive. Findings Planning a trip, from deciding where to go, where to stay and what to do, can be a simultaneously stressing and thrilling decision-making process. Research limitations/implications Whether someone is planning a trip to a familiar location or to a place they never imagined visiting, there are numerous mobile apps that can aid the most nascent to the most experienced traveler. Originality/value In addition to including up-to-date travel guide books in library collections, librarians can also further assist their patrons with travel needs by recommending mobile travel apps.

Rethinking the role of the EU in enhancing European competitiveness

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Christian Ketels ◽  
Michael E. Porter
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Economic Performance ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Past ◽  
The Many ◽  
European Economies ◽  
The Eu

Purpose This paper aims to review the evidence on Europe’s economic performance and on the role played by policies pursued at the European Union (EU) level, using the competitiveness framework as the conceptual lens. Design/methodology/approach Why has Europe not made more progress on upgrading its competitiveness over the past few decades, despite the many initiatives that the EU has launched? Findings It finds Europe’s sluggish performance to be driven by a failure to adjust the EU’s policy approach to fundamental changes in the competitiveness context and challenges faced by European economies. Originality/value Based on this analysis, the paper suggests a new role for the EU in supporting EU member countries and regions in achieving higher levels of competitiveness.

Artificial intelligence: scope, players, markets and geography

2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 208-237 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jean Paul Simon
Keyword(s):  
Artificial Intelligence ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Scientific Literature ◽  
Comprehensive Overview ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Past ◽  
Expert Opinions ◽  
Industrial Sectors ◽  
Desk Research ◽  
The Eu

Purpose This paper aims to clarify the notion of artificial intelligence (AI), reviewing the present scope of the phenomenon through its main applications. It aims at describing the various applications while assessing the markets, highlighting some of the leading industrial sectors in the field. Therefore, it identifies pioneering companies and the geographical distribution of AI companies. Design/methodology/approach The paper builds upon an in-depth investigation of public initiatives focusing mostly on the EU. It is based on desk research, a comprehensive review of the main grey and scientific literature in this field. Findings The paper notes that there is no real consensus on any definition for this umbrella term, that the definition does fluctuate over time but highlights some of the main changes and advances that took place over the past 60 years. It stresses that, in spite of the hype, on both the business and consumer sides, the demand appears uncertain. The scope of the announced disruptions is not easy to assess, technological innovation associated with AI may be modest or take some time to be fully deployed. However, some companies and regions are leading already in the field. Research limitations/implications The paper, based on desk research, does not consider any expert opinions. Besides, the scientific literature on the phenomenon is still scarce (but not the technical one in the specific research sectors of AI). Most of the data come from consultancies or government publications which may introduce some bias, although the paper gathered various, often conflicting viewpoints. Originality/value The paper gives a thorough review of the available literature (consultancies, governments) stressing the limitations of the available research on economic and social aspects. It aims at providing a comprehensive overview of the major trends in the field. It gives a global overview of companies and regions.

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