Privacy concerns and the prevalence of third-party tracking cookies on ARL library homepages

IF 1.3 4区 管理学 Q2 INFORMATION SCIENCE & LIBRARY SCIENCE
Bill Marino
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引用次数: 1

Abstract

PurposeThe integration of third-party resources on library websites may be inadvertently contributing to surveillance technologies without user knowledge. This study set out to determine the prevalence of third-party tracking cookies on Association of Research Libraries (ARL) member homepages, the entities that are tracking users and for what purpose and what control users have over their cookie preferences.Design/methodology/approachHomepages from the 124 ARL member libraries were visited. Evidence of a privacy or cookie statement was collected and cookie logs were captured. This data were compared against the Disconnect list of known trackers and analyzed to determine the extent to which third-party tracking cookies were used across ARL sites, who was setting the cookies and for what purpose, and whether this use differed with regards to a library's identifying features.FindingsIt was determined that many ARL libraries do contribute to the ability to track a user's activity across the web, with one-third containing third-party tracking cookies. A user's contact with tracking cookies is influenced by various traits defining the institution. Users are given very little control over the cookies logged on their machines.Originality/valueThis study explores library efforts to protect user privacy, adopting an introspective approach that focuses on library websites. It will provide discussion points for librarians to question not only what third-party tracking cookies are present on their sites and why, but also how to educate their users about privacy issues.
隐私问题和ARL库主页上第三方跟踪cookie的流行
目的在用户不知情的情况下,图书馆网站上第三方资源的整合可能会无意中对监控技术做出贡献。这项研究旨在确定研究图书馆协会(ARL)成员主页上第三方跟踪cookie的流行率、跟踪用户的实体以及用户对其cookie偏好的控制目的。访问了124个ARL成员图书馆的设计/方法论/方法主页。收集了隐私或cookie声明的证据,并捕获了cookie日志。将这些数据与已知跟踪器的Disconnect列表进行比较,并进行分析,以确定第三方跟踪cookie在ARL网站上的使用程度、谁设置cookie以及出于什么目的,以及这种使用是否与库的识别功能不同。发现据确定,许多ARL库确实有助于跟踪用户在网络上的活动,其中三分之一包含第三方跟踪cookie。用户与跟踪cookie的接触受到定义机构的各种特征的影响。用户对其机器上记录的cookie几乎没有控制权。独创性/价值本研究探讨了图书馆保护用户隐私的努力,采用了一种专注于图书馆网站的内省方法。它将为图书馆员提供讨论点,他们不仅可以质疑网站上存在哪些第三方跟踪cookie以及为什么存在,还可以质疑如何教育用户隐私问题。
本文章由计算机程序翻译,如有差异,请以英文原文为准。
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来源期刊
Reference Services Review
Reference Services Review INFORMATION SCIENCE & LIBRARY SCIENCE-
CiteScore
3.20
自引率
10.00%
发文量
16
期刊介绍: Reference Services Review (RSR ) is a quarterly, refereed journal dedicated to the enrichment of reference knowledge and the advancement of reference services. RSR covers all aspects of reference functions, including automation of reference services, evaluation and assessment of reference functions and sources, models for delivering quality reference services in all types and sizes of libraries, development and management of teaching/learning activities, promotion of information literacy programs, and partnerships with other entities to achieve reference goals and objectives. RSR prepares its readers to understand and embrace current and emerging technologies affecting reference functions, instructional services and information needs of library users.
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