We undertook the task of evaluating aspects of privacy policies for online industries. We assessed a total of hundred websites using a fixed methodology, and then applied that methodology to each privacy policy. We investigated the relation between user information and the role of third- parties, affiliates and cookie-based targeted advertisements. Our analysis showed that user information is quite vulnerable as most companies pass information to both affiliates and third- parties, which in most cases includes personal information. Readability scores are quite consistent across websites, and they have not varied significantly over the years. However, the privacy policies of healthcare and dating websites are particularly difficult to read.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Hoque, Muyeedul
• Ghani, Mohammad Affan
• Rehman, Umair Abdul
• Brown, Joseph D.

Subject

• Security
• Industry
• Computing

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• E-project-121412-121246

Keyword

• Human-computer interaction
• Data protection
• Web sites--Design and construction
• Data mining

Advisor

• Wills, Craig E.

Year

• 2012

Date created

• 2012-12-14

Location

• Worcester

Resource type

• Interactive Qualifying Project

Rights statement

• In Copyright

Last modified

• 2021-02-03