The Future of Privacy in a Connected World: A Socio-Economic Analysis
Downloads
Background. In an increasingly connected world, where data flows seamlessly across digital platforms and devices, the concept of privacy has become more complex and contested. The rise of big data, the Internet of Things (IoT), and artificial intelligence has dramatically altered how personal information is collected, stored, and used. While these technological advancements offer convenience and economic value, they also pose significant risks to individual privacy and raise socio-economic concerns related to surveillance, digital inequality, and data governance.
Purpose. This study aims to analyze the future of privacy from a socio-economic perspective by exploring how privacy concerns vary across different income, education, and demographic groups. The research investigates both individual perceptions and institutional practices regarding data protection in the digital age.
Method. Using a mixed-methods approach, the study combines a survey of 500 participants from diverse socio-economic backgrounds with in-depth interviews of policymakers, technologists, and privacy advocates. Quantitative data were analyzed using regression models to identify key predictors of privacy concern, while qualitative data were examined thematically to uncover broader social patterns.
Results. Findings reveal that lower-income groups often have less access to privacy tools and are more vulnerable to data exploitation. Education level significantly correlates with privacy awareness, and trust in institutions varies widely. The study highlights a growing privacy gap between socio-economic classes, with policy frameworks struggling to keep pace with technological change.
Conclusion. The study concludes that equitable privacy protection requires inclusive digital literacy initiatives, transparent regulatory systems, and stronger accountability mechanisms in data-driven environments.
Acanga, A. (2025). Gender perspectives in disaster response: An evidence-based review. Progress in Disaster Science, 26(Query date: 2025-07-17 13:33:00). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pdisas.2025.100416
Acheampong, D. (2024). Bridging the Digital Divide: Securing Information and Computer Systems in an Unequal World. IFIP Advances in Information and Communication Technology, 709(Query date: 2025-07-17 13:33:00), 77–90. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-66986-6_6
Ahmad, M. (2024). Spatial data infrastructure for effective information management: A case study of Pakistan. Essential Information Systems Service Management, Query date: 2025-07-17 13:33:00, 251–278. https://doi.org/10.4018/979-8-3693-4227-5.ch010
Alp, G. Ö. (2024). Digital divide reflections on regional development disparities in Türkiye. Information Technology for Development, 30(4), 608–625. https://doi.org/10.1080/02681102.2024.2303579
Al-Sumait, F. (2024). Adapting global methodologies to digital inequalities research in a multicultural Arab environment. Convergence, 30(3), 1105–1119. https://doi.org/10.1177/13548565231174594
Aremu, V. I. (2025). IMPACT OF DIGITAL LITERACY SKILLS ON UNDERGRADUATE PERFORMANCE IN NIGERIA. African Journal of Applied Research, 11(2), 210–219. https://doi.org/10.26437/ajar.v11i2.1031
Bakanach, O. V. (2022). Statistical Study of Interregional Variations in the Society’s Informatization. Lecture Notes in Networks and Systems, 304(Query date: 2025-07-17 13:33:00), 595–601. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-83175-2_73
Blanutsa, V. I. (2025). Creating the First Autonomous Systems of Internet in Siberia as a Spatial Diffusion of Innovations. Spatial Economics, 21(1), 7–32. https://doi.org/10.14530/se.2025.1.007-032
Calvão, F. (2021). Digital extraction: Blockchain traceability in mineral supply chains. Political Geography, 87(Query date: 2025-07-17 13:33:00). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.polgeo.2021.102381
Casaes, D. (2021). Brazil: Weaponised information and digitised hate. Social Media Impacts on Conflict and Democracy the Techtonic Shift, Query date: 2025-07-17 13:33:00, 43–58. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003087649-3
Cruz-Piñeiro, R. (2024). Commodifying Passage: Ethnographic Insights into Migration, Markets, and Digital Mediation at the Darién Gap and Mexico–Guatemala Border. International Migration Review, 58(4), 2141–2166. https://doi.org/10.1177/01979183241274759
Delgado, J. (2022). Bias in algorithms of AI systems developed for COVID-19: A scoping review. Journal of Bioethical Inquiry, 19(3), 407–419. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11673-022-10200-z
Drydakis, N. (2024). Reducing the Gender Digital Divide amongst Immigrant Entrepreneurs. Sustainable Economic Development Perspectives from Political Economy and Economics Pluralism, Query date: 2025-07-17 13:33:00, 237–264. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003349402-21
Fang, W. (2025). Inequalities in digital literacy: Exploring the disparity in tangible outcomes of internet use among college students in China. Frontiers in Communication, 10(Query date: 2025-07-17 13:33:00). https://doi.org/10.3389/fcomm.2025.1601240
Feofilova, T. (2023). Socio-economic risks of digital economy: The case of the Russian Federation. Digital Challenges What is the Response of the Economy, Query date: 2025-07-17 13:33:00, 317–330.
Gladilin, A. (2019). Establishment of Information Economy Under the Influence of Scientific and Technical Progress. Advances in Intelligent Systems and Computing, 726(Query date: 2025-07-17 13:33:00), 46–55. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-90835-9_6
Kim, U. (2022). Economic Development, Sociocultural Change and Quality of Life in Korea: Analysis of Three Generations Growing up in Colonial, Industrial and Digital Age. Psychology and Developing Societies, 34(2), 200–239. https://doi.org/10.1177/09713336221115550
Lissitsa, S. (2022). The Silent Generation vs Baby Boomers: Socio-demographic and psychological predictors of the “gray” digital inequalities. Computers in Human Behavior, 128(Query date: 2025-07-17 13:33:00). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2021.107098
Maiti, D. (2019). Digitalisation and development: Issues for India and beyond. Digitalisation and Development Issues for India and Beyond, Query date: 2025-07-17 13:33:00, 3–29. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-9996-1_1
Masuku, M. M. (2025). Utilisation of the National Student Financial Aid Scheme’s Learning Material Allowance for Higher Education Students: A Perspective of a South African University. Higher Education Quarterly, 79(3). https://doi.org/10.1111/hequ.70042
McNeely, C. L. (2024). Traversing the digital divide in concept and effect: Relative interpretations and orientations. Policy and Internet, 16(2), 214–221. https://doi.org/10.1002/poi3.409
Muwonge, J. (2025). Exploring socio-economic inequalities in mental healthcare utilization in adults with self-reported psychological distress: A survey-registry linked cohort design. Epidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences, 34(Query date: 2025-07-17 13:33:00). https://doi.org/10.1017/S2045796024000842
Nikolaev, M. A. (2021). Impact of Digitalization on the Efficiency of Russian Economy. Smart Innovation Systems and Technologies, 227(Query date: 2025-07-17 13:33:00), 1269–1279. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-0953-4_120
Paupini, C. (2021). Disaster Risk Reduction for All?: Understanding Intersectionality in Disaster Situations. IFIP Advances in Information and Communication Technology, 622(Query date: 2025-07-17 13:33:00), 183–192. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-81469-4_15
Pereira, A. (2023). Money to the People: The Challenge of Financing Human Development. Sustainable Development Goals Series, Query date: 2025-07-17 13:33:00, 57–74. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-40025-4_4
Plotichkina, N. V. (2020). Digital technologies: Policy for improving accessibility and usage skills development in europe and russia. World Economy and International Relations, 64(4), 70–83. https://doi.org/10.20542/0131-2227-2020-64-4-70-83
Rydzewski, P. (2025). Digital Inequality and Sustainable Development. Problemy Ekorozwoju, 20(1), 96–108. https://doi.org/10.35784/preko.6691
Sabir, R. A. (2022). SOCIAL BENEFITS OF DIGITALISATION. Contemporary Studies in Economic and Financial Analysis, 109(Query date: 2025-07-17 13:33:00), 31–47. https://doi.org/10.1108/S1569-37592022000109A003
Thai, H. M. H. (2020). Urban form, the use of ICT and smart cities in Vietnam. Smart Cities for Technological and Social Innovation Case Studies Current Trends and Future Steps, Query date: 2025-07-17 13:33:00, 137–156. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-818886-6.00008-3
Tolmachev, A. V. (2022). TECHNOLOGICAL INEQUALITY AT THE LEVEL OF THE REGIONAL ECONOMY AND THE ECONOMIC AND LEGAL APPROACH TO CONFLICT MANAGEMENT IN THE FIELD OF DIGITAL DEVELOPMENT: A CASE STUDY ON THE EXAMPLE OF RUSSIAN REGIONS. Contributions to Conflict Management Peace Economics and Development, 30(Query date: 2025-07-17 13:33:00), 173–181. https://doi.org/10.1108/S1572-832320220000030016
Wen, J. (2023). Overcoming the Digital Divide With ICT Diffusion: Multivariate and Spatial Analysis at China’s Provincial Level. Sage Open, 13(1). https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440231159323
Wyk, B. van. (2023). Library and information services’ reflections on emergency remote support and crisis-driven innovations during pandemic conditions. Ifla Journal, 49(3), 610–619. https://doi.org/10.1177/03400352231166747
Zilian, S. S. (2020). Digital inequality in Austria: Empirical evidence from the survey of the OECD “Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies.” Technology in Society, 63(Query date: 2025-07-17 13:33:00). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techsoc.2020.101397
Copyright (c) 2025 Loso Judijanto, Sogi Berani, Ahmya Ayaka
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
