Technological advancement has given rise to numerous digital
platforms, enabling precise marketing driven by data analytics and
algorithms. Although users operate within an invisible digital panopticon,
they continue to engage with these platforms with enjoyment. This study
explored user awareness of algorithms, perceptions of autonomy, and
evaluations of value by using in-depth interviews supplemented by thinkaloud
methods. The results revealed that although users expressed
algorithm awareness, they prioritized their needs and perceived value over
potential risks, leading to the co-optation of their autonomy by platform
structures. Despite being confined within a digital cage, users’ digital
perceptions and practices reflect a restructuring of habitus rather than
disciplinary control, suggesting they remain aware but unperturbed in their
digital daily lives.