University Students' Perspectives on Privacy, Security, and Data Integrity in Academic Libraries Amidst the Fourth Industrial Revolution

The Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) is changing how we live, work, and communicate. This 4IR is characterized by a fusion of technologies that blurs the lines between the physical, digital, and cyber spheres. Studies have identified applications, deployment, and use of ICTs in libraries and education. The development of information technology and most concerning 4IR technologies such as the Internet of Things and artificial intelligence make access to data privacy a very important point of focus for information professionals. As societies have increasingly embraced the collection of learning analytics and big data, privacy concerns have escalated, prompting numerous governments worldwide to formulate data protection policies. This study aims to evaluate the ethical and privacy challenges associated with the implementation of Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) technologies in the provision of information services to library users, highlighting the user's perception of the collection of their information within the context of the Protection of Personal Information Act (PoPI Act). The research will be conducted at two public universities in the Western Cape.