University of Strathclyde Online Security Technology

The University of Strathclyde is in the process of developing a technology that can help people manage their online privacy during major life changes.

14:15 23 February 2022

A cybersecurity study that involves the University of Strathclyde will see the creation of an innovative technology specifically designed for people who are undergoing major life changes and want to make sure that their online privacy is protected. 

 

The £3.4 million project will support people who are undergoing significant life transitions, including those who have developed a serious illness, suffering from relationship breakdown or leaving employment in the armed forces. 

 

The project, titled AP4L (Adaptive PETs to Protect & emPower People during Life Transitions), will involve experts in the fields of psychology, cybersecurity, law, business and criminology. It is fully funded by EPSRC (Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council). 

 

Professor Wendy Moncur, of Strathclyde’s Department of Computer and Information Sciences, is the University’s lead in the project. She said: “Managing privacy online is increasingly complicated. It’s possible to reveal a lot about ourselves to a huge and unseen audience, unless we’re experts at privacy settings and have time to spare. Many people tell us that their lives are ‘boring’ and that they are not worried about managing their privacy online, yet when big life changes happen, there are good reasons to manage online privacy.

 

“For someone going through a relationship breakdown, previously enabled location-sharing with a partner may lead to stalking after a breakup if privacy settings are not revised. For someone newly diagnosed with cancer, they may not want everyone to know their news. At a time when there are far more important things to do, the internet demands that we become experts in privacy settings if we are to prevent that huge and unseen audience from finding out our deeply personal information.