CROSS-CULTURAL UNDERSTANDING OF HOW PEOPLE USE SECURE GROUP CHAT TOOLS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM AND SAUDI ARABIA

Abstract

Group communication tools have gained widespread popularity, attracting over a billion users. However, questions arise, how closely are our messages being watched by external parties? Is end-to-end encryption implemented by the application? Many group communication tools either do not offer enough security features to protect their users or make it challenging for them to understand and use these features. This research discusses how users perceive and use secure group communication tools, focusing on users in the United Kingdom and Saudi Arabia. A mixed-methods approach involving interviews with 20 participants and a survey with 204 respondents was conducted. The study reveals key factors driving users' choices, their understanding of security and privacy, their willingness to adopt or not adopt secure group communication tools, and cultural differences. The findings underline the priority factors like popularity, usability, and being free, as influential in tool selection. Users express willingness to use secure tools, yet gaps arise between intention and practice, attributed to misconceptions, motivation, and trust concerns. Privacy practices vary between cultures, with Saudi participants showing more caution. On the other hand, the UK displays higher trust levels in communication tools compared to Saudi Arabia. These cultural influences shape communication priorities, with Saudis leaning toward group communication and the UK prioritizing individual communications. Despite these differences, the study suggests the potential for universally secure applications catering to diverse user needs. The study offers recommendations for tool design that help improve the adoption of secure group communication.