User Awareness and Understanding of Digital Privacy Policies in Ghana: An Exploratory Study

Abstract

Aims: This study explored how well users understand data privacy policies and what factors shape their behaviour toward them. Study Design:  A quantitative cross-sectional research design was used in this study. Place and Duration of Study: The research was conducted at the Department of Computer Science, Garden City University in Kumasi between September 2024 and September 2025. Methodology: Data were collected from 172 Computer Science and Information Technology students, using a structured questionnaire administered through Google Forms. The collected data were analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 25. Descriptive statistics such as frequencies, percentages, means, and standard deviations were calculated. Also, Chi-square tests, correlation, and multiple linear regression analysis were done to explore relationships and determine significant factors influencing user behaviours regarding digital privacy. Results: Overall, students showed a moderate level of awareness and understanding of data privacy policies, with average scores between 3.58 and 4.27 (overall mean = 3.87, SD = 1.026). Most participants recognized that the core purpose of privacy policies is to protect personal information. Additionally, responses to behavioural factors showed mean scores ranging from 3.68 to 4.52 (overall mean = 4.05, SD = 1.167), pointing to a general agreement that these factors play a role in shaping user behaviour. The regression model’s Adjusted R Square value of 0.105 indicated that 10.5% of the variance in user behaviour was explained by the independent variables, indicating other behavioural factors were excluded in the model. Conclusion: The findings suggest that students are less likely to read lengthy privacy policies, implying a need for simpler and more accessible versions. Awareness campaigns could also help users understand why privacy policies matter. To gain a fuller picture of how behaviour evolves, future studies should consider a longitudinal approach.