Informational Friction

Informational friction is resistance felt in any means for obtainment of information on a given subject matter. The ability to access information correlates to this friction so that a greater amount of available facts creates less informational friction and vice versa. While this concept relates to all types of environments, it has become increasing relevant with the development of ICT (Information and Communications Technology). Luciano Floridi, a prominent philosopher on this idea, goes further to differentiate between the informational friction surrounding older ICT (radio, telephone, television) and newer ICT affording anonymity. Just as revolutionary communication technology reduced informational friction, modern, anonymous settings may have increased it. Further, because informational friction is considered in a direct relationship with informational privacy, it is proposed that depending on the type ICTs might then enhance, alter, or demote one’s privacy.