Emerging Internet Technologies and the Regulation of User Privacy

Modern Internet-based technologies pose a threat to privacy, as they possess multiple sensors or features that collect data about users. There is a need to determine the privacy risks that affect users in South Africa as there are a few studies on the subject. A qualitative study was done which involved interviewing seven experts and a survey consisting of 101 respondents. The results show that regulators view emerging technologies as potentially risky and are motivated by public interest to develop protective laws. It therefore is necessary that regulators develop robust laws to help prevent privacy violations. Furthermore, this paper proposes a conceptual framework that conceptualizes how emerging technologies affect users to inform policymaking.