Wormhole Whispers: Reflecting User Privacy Data Boundaries Through Algorithm Visualization

As user interactions on online social platforms increase, so does the public’s concern over the exposure of user privacy data. However, ordinary users often lack a clear and intuitive understanding of how their personal online information flows and how algorithms are involved in this process. We hav...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Xiaoxiao Wang, Jingjing Zhang, Huize Wan, Yuan Yao
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-02-01
Series:Applied Sciences
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/4/2034
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1849720065485701120
author Xiaoxiao Wang
Jingjing Zhang
Huize Wan
Yuan Yao
author_facet Xiaoxiao Wang
Jingjing Zhang
Huize Wan
Yuan Yao
author_sort Xiaoxiao Wang
collection DOAJ
description As user interactions on online social platforms increase, so does the public’s concern over the exposure of user privacy data. However, ordinary users often lack a clear and intuitive understanding of how their personal online information flows and how algorithms are involved in this process. We have developed a design to address this issue that visualizes data algorithms and transmission based on data collection and analysis. The primary contribution of this work is an innovative approach that uses metaphorical visual language to represent the flow of user data, algorithms, and information. It also aims to present these concepts interactively, allowing users to gain a more vivid understanding of the dynamic changes in their personal data. This participatory and interactive design seeks to provide users, as well as various stakeholders, an opportunity to reflect on the relationship between online society, privacy data boundaries, and users’ rights to be informed.
format Article
id doaj-art-4b68b45ba24b42078cefd1f61d20bcdb
institution DOAJ
issn 2076-3417
language English
publishDate 2025-02-01
publisher MDPI AG
record_format Article
series Applied Sciences
spelling doaj-art-4b68b45ba24b42078cefd1f61d20bcdb2025-08-20T03:12:01ZengMDPI AGApplied Sciences2076-34172025-02-01154203410.3390/app15042034Wormhole Whispers: Reflecting User Privacy Data Boundaries Through Algorithm VisualizationXiaoxiao Wang0Jingjing Zhang1Huize Wan2Yuan Yao3School of Architecture and Design, Beijing Jiaotong University, Beijing 100044, ChinaSchool of Architecture and Design, Beijing Jiaotong University, Beijing 100044, ChinaSchool of Architecture and Design, Beijing Jiaotong University, Beijing 100044, ChinaSchool of Architecture and Design, Beijing Jiaotong University, Beijing 100044, ChinaAs user interactions on online social platforms increase, so does the public’s concern over the exposure of user privacy data. However, ordinary users often lack a clear and intuitive understanding of how their personal online information flows and how algorithms are involved in this process. We have developed a design to address this issue that visualizes data algorithms and transmission based on data collection and analysis. The primary contribution of this work is an innovative approach that uses metaphorical visual language to represent the flow of user data, algorithms, and information. It also aims to present these concepts interactively, allowing users to gain a more vivid understanding of the dynamic changes in their personal data. This participatory and interactive design seeks to provide users, as well as various stakeholders, an opportunity to reflect on the relationship between online society, privacy data boundaries, and users’ rights to be informed.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/4/2034user privacy datadata visualizationdata privacy and security
spellingShingle Xiaoxiao Wang
Jingjing Zhang
Huize Wan
Yuan Yao
Wormhole Whispers: Reflecting User Privacy Data Boundaries Through Algorithm Visualization
Applied Sciences
user privacy data
data visualization
data privacy and security
title Wormhole Whispers: Reflecting User Privacy Data Boundaries Through Algorithm Visualization
title_full Wormhole Whispers: Reflecting User Privacy Data Boundaries Through Algorithm Visualization
title_fullStr Wormhole Whispers: Reflecting User Privacy Data Boundaries Through Algorithm Visualization
title_full_unstemmed Wormhole Whispers: Reflecting User Privacy Data Boundaries Through Algorithm Visualization
title_short Wormhole Whispers: Reflecting User Privacy Data Boundaries Through Algorithm Visualization
title_sort wormhole whispers reflecting user privacy data boundaries through algorithm visualization
topic user privacy data
data visualization
data privacy and security
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/4/2034
work_keys_str_mv AT xiaoxiaowang wormholewhispersreflectinguserprivacydataboundariesthroughalgorithmvisualization
AT jingjingzhang wormholewhispersreflectinguserprivacydataboundariesthroughalgorithmvisualization
AT huizewan wormholewhispersreflectinguserprivacydataboundariesthroughalgorithmvisualization
AT yuanyao wormholewhispersreflectinguserprivacydataboundariesthroughalgorithmvisualization