A Content Analysis of the Privacy Policies of Cloud Computing Services

Abstract

ABSTRACT Cloud computing is increasingly popular across all sectors and offers users unparalleled scalability, elasticity, and flexibility. However, the rapid transition toward cloud computing has raised privacy and confidentiality concerns. Cloud service providers can access users' data, and private information may be accidentally or deliberately disclosed or used for unauthorized purposes. Privacy policies are intended to provide users with information about privacy practices and their privacy options. This study performs content analysis of the privacy policies of 47 cloud service providers who offer services to business users. This analysis identifies what information is collected and why, to whom the information is disclosed, and what measures are in place for data security, data retention, and data complaints. Additionally, we investigate the readability, uncertainty language, and linguistic tone of cloud service privacy policies. Our results offer implications for cloud service users, providers, and policymakers, and provide directions for future research. Data Availability: Data are available upon request.