NEWS23 June 2014
US — A global internet privacy study has revealed that just 27% of consumers say they are willing to give up some online privacy in exchange for greater convenience and ease online.
The EMC Privacy Index, which surveyed 15,000 consumers in 15 countries, assessed consumer attitudes of online privacy. According to the results:
- 91% of respondents value the benefit of easier access to information and knowledge that digital technology affords
- 27% said they were willing to trade some privacy for greater convenience and ease online
- 41% believe their government is committed to protecting their privacy
- 59% say they have less privacy than a year ago
- 81% expect privacy to erode over the next five years
- Respondents aged over 55 were less willing to trade privacy for convenience
- Respondents in India were most willing to trade privacy for convenience, with highest index score of 61
- Those in Germany least likely to make this trade, with index score of 36
The study reported a number of apparent behavioural paradoxes: ; the “we want it all” paradox, which revealed that people on the whole value the benefit of digital access, but are unwilling to trade privacy for it; the “take no action” paradox, which highlighted that while over half of respondents had experienced a data breach, many had taken no action to protect themselves; and the “social sharing” paradox, which suggested that social media use continues to grow rapidly, despite a belief that institutions are doing little to protect privacy on these sites.
Michael Kaiser, executive director at the National Cyber Security Alliance, said: “The data captured in the EMC Privacy Index gives a fascinating view into the attitudes of global consumers and validates a fundamental point – respecting privacy and safeguarding data is a core value that should be shared by businesses, governments and individuals to enable a more trusted ecosystem.
“If organisations are transparent and accountable for their information management practices, individuals will be able to better manage their digital lives consistent with how they want to share information about themselves.”
Full findings can be found here.