Consumer Privacy - Fundamentals

The course presents principles for user-centred privacy that can be applied to the implementation of net-based systems and behavioural design, with a special focus on the design of user interfaces and their basis in psychology. The course covers both theoretical and practical aspects of internet privacy. A key component of the course is that students share experiences and apply theories, concepts, and models to internet privacy problems. Discussions can be based on personal experience, case studies, and empirical research data. The course is also focused on identifying ways of improving online privacy protection, for instance through design principles, current guidelines, and open access databases. The user-centred approach of the course highlights the importance of internet privacy not only for individuals but also for businesses and other organisations as well as society in general, and includes different definitions of consumer vulnerability.

Students participate actively in the course through discussions initiated digitally by teachers by means of video conferencing software. Materials that do not require active participation, such as recorded lectures and interviews, are available for download. The course content is partly created by the students, as they discuss different cases and their own experiences and analyse them using the concepts, theories, and models covered in the course. Independent study, extensive reading of relevant literature, active reflection upon the course material, and active participation in course activities are required.

Progressive specialisation: A1N (has only first‐cycle course/s as entry requirements)

Education level: Master's level

Admission requirements: 90 ECTS credits, including at least 30 ECTS credits at the G2F level or higher in the social, behavioural, or natural sciences, at least 2 years of work experience in a relevant professional area, and upper secondary level English 6, or equivalent

Selection:

Selection is usually based on your grade point average from upper secondary school or the number of credit points from previous university studies, or both.