Journal of Historical Research, Law and Policy 3115-7505 2 Serial Number 5 2024 01 01 Digital Privacy and Consent: Exploring User Awareness of Legal Protections Digital Privacy and Consent: Exploring User Awareness of Legal Protections 47 55 EN Journal Article 2023 11 16 <p>This study aimed to explore how users in Tehran perceive digital privacy, interact with online consent mechanisms, and understand the legal protections governing their personal data. A qualitative research design was employed, using semi-structured interviews to collect data from 22 adult participants residing in Tehran, Iran. Participants were selected through purposive and snowball sampling to capture diverse digital experiences. Interviews were conducted until theoretical saturation was reached. Data were transcribed and analyzed thematically using NVivo software, following a coding process involving open, axial, and selective coding. Ethical guidelines were strictly observed, with informed consent obtained from all participants. Three major themes emerged from the analysis: perceived understanding of digital privacy, experiences with consent mechanisms, and attitudes toward legal protections. Participants demonstrated limited awareness of how their data is used or what legal rights they possess. Most reported bypassing privacy policies due to their length and complexity and described consent as a habitual, often meaningless act. Trust was higher in international platforms than in local ones, but legal literacy across the board was low. Emotional reactions such as confusion, fatigue, and helplessness were common when navigating privacy interfaces. Participants expressed skepticism about the existence or enforcement of relevant laws and indicated a lack of knowledge regarding complaint mechanisms or recourse for data misuse. The findings reveal a significant gap between digital behavior and legal awareness among users in Tehran. Inadequate digital literacy, complex consent interfaces, and distrust in legal institutions hinder meaningful user agency. Interventions should include simplified legal communication, user-centered interface design, and privacy education initiatives tailored to local contexts.</p> https://jhrlp.com/index.php/jhrlp/article/download/30/30