RSA Security research reveals the dark side of customer data

According to a global online survey commissioned by RSA Security, a global cybersecurity leader delivering business-driven security solutions to help organisations manage digital risk, there is a growing disconnect between how companies capitalise on customer data and how consumers expect their data to be used.

Consumer backlash in response to the numerous high-profile data breaches in recent years has exposed one of the hidden risks of digital transformation: loss of customer trust.

The RSA Data Privacy and Security Survey 2019 explores the nuances of ethical data use, shedding light on consumer perceptions of data privacy.

According to the study, which surveyed more than 6,000 adults across France, Germany, the United Kingdom and United States, less than half (48%) of consumers believe there are ethical ways companies can use their data and 57% blame companies above anyone else, even a hacker, in the event of a data incident.

Despite the fact that consumers harbour heightened concerns about their privacy, they continue to exhibit poor cyberhygiene, with 73% percent of users admitting that they reuse the same passwords across many sites, leaving them more vulnerable.

Key takeaways from the study, include:

• Context matters: Individuals across all demographics are concerned about their financial/banking data, as well as sensitive information such as passwords, but other areas of concern vary dramatically by generation, nationality and even gender. For example, younger demographics are more comfortable with their data being used and collected than older survey respondents.
• Privacy expectations are cultural: Consumers respond to data privacy differently based on their nationality due to cultural factors, current events and high-profile data breaches in their respective countries. For example, in the months of the GDPR being implemented, German attitudes shifted in favour of stricter data privacy expectations, with 42% wanting to protect location data in 2018 versus only 29% in 2017.
• Personalisation remains a puzzle: Countless studies have demonstrated that personalised experiences increase user activity and purchasing. However, the survey results showed that respondents do not want personalised services at the expense of their privacy. In fact, a mere 17% of respondents view tailored advertisements as ethical and only 24% believe personalisation to create tailored news feeds is ethical.

“With a growing number of high-profile data breaches, questions around the ethical use of data and privacy missteps, consumers increasingly want to know how their data is being collected, managed and shared,” said Nigel Ng, Vice President of International, RSA.

“Now is the time for organisations to evaluate their growing digital risks, doubling down on customer privacy and security. Today’s leaders must be vigilant about transforming their cybersecurity postures to manage today’s digital risks in a way that ensures consumer trust and confidence in their business.”