Datum:	2002
Autor:	Kobsa, A. (University of California, Irvine)

Personalized hypermedia systems may be in conflict with privacy concerns of computer users, and with privacy laws that are in effect in many countries.

User-adaptive (or “personalized”) hypermedia systems are able to cater to users more effectively the more information they possess about them. The kinds of adaptations that will be necessary are usually not known at the time when different pieces of information about users become available. Personalized hypermedia systems therefore have to lay these collected data “in stock” for possible future usage. Data gathering is moreover mostly performed in an unobstrusive manner and often even without users’ awareness. This is done in order not to distract them from their tasks and in consideration of the fact that users generally are very reluctant to perform actions that are not directed towards their immediate goals (like providing data about themselves) if they do not receive immediate benefits, even when they would profit in the long run.