A RISK OF USING INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES: INFORMATION PRIVACY IN PUBLIC OPINION AND IN THE PRESS IN HUNGARY

Authors

  • I. Székely

Abstract

Societal risks of the new information and communication technologies including information privacy issues, have not yet been sufficiently recognized in the former socialist countries of Central and Eastern Europe. Newly introduced data protection legislation is an important step in this process, but in the highly politicized environment the problem often appears to be primarily a legal and political issue. The first Hungarian research on public opinion and mass communication in relation to information privacy shows a measurable desire for information autonomy and a considerable mistrust of information authorities, but nevertheless a genera! obedience in providing personal data. The stratum which exhibits a heightened data protection consciousness, higher sensitivity to privacy and increased distrust of computerized data processing comprises 16 per cent of the total sample. The research also shows that the desire for information privacy in the society is not adequately manifested in the press, nor in the awareness of political and professional circles. International cooperation is needed in research activity.

Keywords:

information privacy, data protection, public opinion research, press, Hungary, Central and Eastern Europe

How to Cite

Székely, I. (1994) “A RISK OF USING INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES: INFORMATION PRIVACY IN PUBLIC OPINION AND IN THE PRESS IN HUNGARY”, Periodica Polytechnica Social and Management Sciences, 2(1), pp. 31–44.

Issue

Section

Articles