PROTECTION MOTIVATION THEORY: THE REASON TO SECURITIZE THE INTERNET

Abstract

This paper tries to capture the sentiments, perceptions, and responses of both the general public and the private sector. In an effort to bring a new lens of understanding to the GDPR, this study examines how the general public and the private sector have been coping with the UK transitioning leaving the EU and the data protection laws transition from transnational oversight to national. In order to set the status quo on data protection norms and regulations, the UK quickly adopted the GDPR into national regulation to ensure that when it came to the internet and security negotiations were not an option. The Data Protection Act of 2018, is the UK regulation that sets the standards for data protection. When it comes to data protection and online security the wants and needs of the public, as well as the private sector, seem to align with the GDPR. This paper sheds new light on this assumption. Although governments in their efforts try to be libertarian paternalists, it is essential to capture the true sentiments of the general public and other stakeholders views. My study examines whether the general public and the private sector exhibit risk mitigating cognitive assessments from the Protection Motivation Theory. The motive of this paper is to study the risk mitigation and coping mechanisms that both the private and the general public have used since the Brexit Referendum when it comes to data protection and online security. In times of uncertainty, people use these cognitive assessments in order to mitigate possible risks. In this case, I model how the UK general public and private sector have reduced risks by utilizing these four cognitive assessments and in the process, they have become accepting of the protectionist responses that their governments adopt. Through examining the different stakeholder’s responses, I find that the UK is an example where the public and the private sector are on board with the government’s course of action on data protection and online security. Evidence shows that people are concerned about online data protection and internet security and are therefore more prone to adopt stricter regulations.