Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2010
Abstract
In this paper, we analyze some controversial aspects of blogging and the blogosphere from the perspective of privacy. In particular, we focus on Helen Nissenbaum’s theory of privacy as “contextual integrity” and apply it to personal blogs, in general, and the case of the “Washingtonienne” blogger, in particular. We examine the question of whether personal blogs that are not password protected can be considered “normatively private contexts” according to Nissenbaum’s principles of privacy. We argue that they cannot. Using Nissenbaum’s original model, we conclude that privacy expectations for those who disclose personal information in such blogs are unrealistic. We also suggest that Nissenbaum’s expanded theory (see Nissenbaum, 2010) can inform the contemporary debate about privacy and blogging in a wide variety of newer technological contexts, in addition to personal blogs, and we encourage researchers to apply Nissenbaum’s model in those contexts.
Recommended Citation
Grodzinsky, Frances and Tavani, Herman T., "Applying the “Contextual Integrity” Model of Privacy to Personal Blogs in the Blogoshere" (2010). School of Computer Science & Engineering Faculty Publications. 2.
https://digitalcommons.sacredheart.edu/computersci_fac/2
Comments
Originally published:
Frances S. Grodzinsky and Herman T. Tavani. “Applying the “Contextual Integrity” Model of Privacy to Personal Blogs in the Blogoshere.” International Journal of Internet Research Ethics (Dec. 2010) 3:1, 38-47.