Information access systems like social media and search engines are driving most of our interactions with information today. Personalization algorithms are playing a major role on what information we consume, thus, have a big impact on the society. It is important to understand how users of the web, are perceiving personalization algorithmic processes. We run a survey study (N=61) with users of tech-related online communities to understand: i) how users are perceiving personalization in information access systems, especially when algorithms are guiding them into filter bubbles? ii) what is their view on the use of their personal data for personalization? iii) how it affects their trust to an information access system? and iv) whether the opacity of personalization algorithms affects their attitude towards personalization. Our results indicate the need for further user-awareness of how personalized information filtering affects the user's future interaction with information access systems and highlights the importance of personalization for user experience.
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Perception of Personalization Processes: Awareness, Data Sharing and Transparency