Procrastination, sleep deprivation and reduced focus are part of the price we pay for free mobile apps. This is according to researchers at Linköping University and RISE, who have investigated the costs hidden behind the free apps. Based on their results, they also have some advice for decision-makers.

The study is published in the journal Digital Policy, Regulation and Governance.

Most of us are becoming aware that our digital attention is hard currency for companies like Google and Facebook. By analyzing our digital behavior patterns, they can target tailored advertising directly to our feeds. Our attention becomes the product that is sold to advertisers. For example, YouTube's three billion monthly users generated about €30 billion in revenue—mainly from services perceived as free.

Often, this data is collected through mobile applications that do not cost money to download and install. But according to researchers from LiU and RISE, there are more costs, in addition to personal data, associated with the free apps.

"Putting things off, procrastination, was the biggest hidden cost. But sleep deprivation, reduced focus and the apps taking time from physical contact with friends, hobbies and training, were also costs that arose. It can be difficult for users to put their finger on it at the time," says Martin Mileros, Ph.D. student at Linköping University and researcher at the research institute RISE.

The phenomenon the researchers are investigating is called the zero-price economy, which means that a service provider offers its services in exchange for the user's data and attention without money changing hands. In traditional economics, the cost to the private individual corresponds to value for the company. But in the zero-price economy, cost and value are decoupled.

The researchers interviewed 196 people in Linköping around the university campus and the science park. Therefore, the selection cannot be said to be representative of the entire population.

The researchers still think, however, that they can get a good indication of how users view hidden costs and their personal data. According to the researchers, this is the first time users and their attitude to the zero-price economy has been examined in this way.

"We can see that many users value privacy and transparency highly. Furthermore, the study shows that users prefer to make one-time purchases of their favorite apps to protect their privacy over using services that are free, but which collect personal data," says Mileros.

In addition to more transparency from the companies, the researchers also want policy makers to place tougher demands on companies to disclose potential hidden costs.

"Many apps are designed to make us more or less dependent on them. Children and young people are particularly vulnerable. There should be stricter restrictions for many apps but also some sort of information about hidden costs. You might compare it to the graphic warning messages on cigarette packets. And for users, it's important to understand these potential hidden costs and make more informed choices," says Mileros.

Although the findings of the study suggest that there are hidden costs, Mileros still thinks that many users can get a lot of benefit and enjoyment from the free apps.

"You can find information, chat and so on. Also, you can change apps without much trouble if you don't like something. So, it could be seen as a win-win situation where both companies and individuals benefit. But it's easy to forget the other aspects of app use."

More information: Martin D. Mileros et al, Free for you and me? Exploring the value users gain from their seemingly free apps, Digital Policy, Regulation and Governance (2024). DOI: 10.1108/DPRG-01-2024-0009