# LGBTQ Privacy Concerns on Social Media

**Authors:** Christine Geeng, Alexis Hiniker  
**arXiv:** [2112.00107](https://arxiv.org/abs/2112.00107)  
**Date:** 2021-11-30  
**Summary page:** https://www.summarizepaper.com/en/paper/2112.00107v1/

## Key points

- Participants in the study used different social media sites for different needs and adapted their disclosure of identity to suit each site.
- Social networking sites can be risky due to audience context collapse and persistent digital traces.
- Designers should address privacy management issues by focusing on the needs of a population using multiple SNSs, as queer individuals often maintain multiple profiles.
- It is important to discuss the unique privacy and security needs of marginalized user groups with workshop participants.
- Learning more about the privacy needs of other communities from researchers who have worked in those areas can also be helpful.
- The study highlights the need for tailored design considerations that take into account the diverse identities and experiences of LGBTQ+ individuals on social media platforms.

## Summary

This research investigation conducted semi-structured interviews with members of the LGBTQ community to understand their privacy practices and concerns on social networking sites. The study found that participants used different social media sites for different needs and adapted their disclosure of identity to suit each site. While online networks provide a safe and accepting environment for LGBTQ+ individuals, social networking sites can also be risky due to audience context collapse and persistent digital traces. The authors suggest that designers should address privacy management issues by focusing on the needs of a population using multiple SNSs, as queer individuals often maintain multiple profiles. They also emphasize the importance of discussing the unique privacy and security needs of marginalized user groups with workshop participants, as well as learning more about the privacy needs of other communities from researchers who have worked in those areas. Overall, this study sheds light on the complex privacy concerns faced by LGBTQ+ individuals on social media platforms, highlighting the need for tailored design considerations that take into account their diverse identities and experiences.