The Concept of Privacy in Intercultural Communicationin the Digital Era

Digital communication platforms have transformed intercultural interactions through global connectivity, but perceptions of privacy vary across cultures and can potentially lead to misunderstandings in the digital context. This study aims to examine the concept of privacy in intercultural communication in the digital era. Using a qualitative library research design, the population consisted of academic literature on privacy, intercultural communication, and digital media. A purposive sample was selected from peer-reviewed journal articles and books in Google Scholar, Scopus, and Sinta (2010–2025). Secondary documents as instruments were analyzed using descriptive-thematic techniques. The results show privacy as a cultural construct where individualistic cultures emphasize personal autonomy while collectivistic cultures emphasize relational ones; digital platforms blur privacy boundaries and lack contextual cues, exacerbating cross-cultural tensions. In conclusion, cultural awareness and intercultural competence can mitigate privacy violations, supporting the development of effective digital communication training. This synthesis enriches the integration of cultural and digital theories for inclusive communication.