Maayan Paz-Chen, Joel Lanir, Oshrat Ayalon
This study investigates software developers' information disclosure behaviour using ChatGPT versus Web Search for code development tasks. A controlled experiment with 36 software developers split into two groups was conducted. One group used Web Search, including Google search and simulated Stack Overflow queries, and the other one used ChatGPT. The experiment was supplemented by interviews for deeper insights. Results showed significant differences in data-sharing practices and tool use perceptions across conditions, with developers using ChatGPT demonstrating higher rates of data sharing than those who used Web Search. We identified three main factors that influence developers' data-sharing practices: personal perceptions, external constraints, and technological features. The findings offer key insights into the influence of AI-based tools' on coding behaviours, suggesting future research to help organisations integrate external tools while balancing work efficiency with secure and privacy-preserving behaviour.