To Share or Not to Share? Understanding Survey Respondents' (Un)Willingness to Share Digital Trace Data

Increasing digitization presents new opportunities for social science by leveraging digital trace data. These data enhance survey research by exploring emerging phenomena and refining existing constructs. Central to this research is the willingness of respondents to share their digital trace data. This study addresses respondent willingness and provides insights from a German online survey of 1,370 respondents conducted in November 2022. Notably, 54.3% of respondents were willing to share their digital trace data in some form, with preferences split between one-time and continuous sharing. While general reluctance underlay most refusals, constraints such as time and technical expertise were cited as barriers. The results show relevant correlations between institutional trust, social media usage, attitudes toward privacy, and willingness to share data. The study underscores the potential for targeted interventions to encourage sharing but warns about sample bias and emphasizes understanding the nuanced motivations behind data-sharing decisions for future research endeavors.