Privacy and security concerns in electronic commerce websites in Ghana: a survey study

This paper examines the privacy and security issues on electronic commerce websites in Ghana. Ghana is reported to have an Internet users’ rate of 27.8% and a mobile Internet subscription of 14% in 2017. The study assessed e-commerce websites for privacy policies that are meant to guide and inform website users on the collection of customer data, data use, protection and other related privacy issues on personal data. The study also analyzed e-commerce websites for encryption security tools that protect customer data and test e-commerce websites for the presence of security vulnerabilities that could threaten the sites and their users. The study used a combination of three methods; web content analysis, information security audit and testing of the websites using penetration testing tools for data collection and analysis. Nmap was used to test and identify possible vulnerabilities on the e-commerce websites that could be used by malicious users to steal customer data for fraudulent intent. The research revealed the presence or otherwise of privacy policies on e-commerce websites. The security weaknesses in these e-commerce websites have been highlighted as findings in the study. The findings of the study will inform policy direction on electronic data collection, protection and use in the e-commerce industry in Ghana is on areas that bother on privacy and security of the customer could be given attention. The findings will also inform industry players in the e-commerce sector on the need to strengthen security on their websites.