Protecting privacy on the web: A study of HTTPS and Google Analytics implementation in academic library websites

Patrick OBrien, Scott W.H. Young, Kenning Arlitsch, Karl Benedict

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract (may include machine translation)

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to examine the extent to which HTTPS encryption and Google Analytics services have been implemented on academic library websites, and discuss the privacy implications of free services that introduce web tracking of users. Design/methodology/approach: The home pages of 279 academic libraries were analyzed for the presence of HTTPS, Google Analytics services and privacy-protection features. Findings: Results indicate that HTTPS implementation on library websites is not widespread, and many libraries continue to offer non-secured connections without an automatically enforced redirect to a secure connection. Furthermore, a large majority of library websites included in the study have implemented Google Analytics and/or Google Tag Manager, yet only very few connect securely to Google via HTTPS or have implemented Google Analytics IP anonymization. Practical implications: Librarians are encouraged to increase awareness of this issue and take concerted and coherent action across five interrelated areas: implementing secure web protocols (HTTPS), user education, privacy policies, informed consent and risk/benefit analyses. Originality/value: Third-party tracking of users is prevalent across the web, and yet few studies demonstrate its extent and consequences for academic library websites.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)734-751
Number of pages18
JournalOnline Information Review
Volume42
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - 13 Sep 2018
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • HTTPS
  • Third-party tracking
  • Web analytics
  • Web privacy

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