Lack of consumer trust across industries to protect their personal data, new research from Thales has revealed
- Banking & Finance, Healthcare and Consumer Technology Companies most trusted industries to protect personal information
- Citizens of Germany, Australia, the UK and France are the least trusting when it comes to security of personal data
- The vast majority of data breach victims have experienced a negative impact on their lives, with financial fraud coming out on top
New research from Thales has revealed that there is a lack of consumer trust across industries to protect their personal data. The 2022 Thales Consumer Digital Trust Index: A Consumer Confidence in Data Security Report, conducted by Opinium, and in partnership with the University of Warwick, found that Social Media companies (18%), Government (14%) and Media & Entertainment organisations (12%) all had the lowest level of consumer trust when it comes to keeping their personal data secure.
In contrast, the research found that Banking & Finance (42%), Healthcare Providers (37%) and Consumer Technology Companies (32%) were the most trusted industries by consumers to protect their sensitive information. Based on a survey of more than 21,000 consumers worldwide, the report highlights how global citizens react to data exposures – both in personal behaviours and in attitudes towards companies that experienced a data breach, and the levels of trust they place across a wide range of industries as well as governments.
There were also significant differences between the levels of trust consumers have across countries when it comes to the security of their personal data. Consumers across Germany (23%), Australia, the UK and France (20%) were the least trusting nations when it comes to the protection of personal data and digital services. In comparison, consumers across Brazil (95%), Mexico (92%) and UAE (91%), reported the highest levels of trust. These differences in trust among countries are likely the result of the data protection regulations, such as GDPR, that generate a broader awareness of the right to privacy and lack of trust.
Consumers feel the impact
The report found the vast majority (82%) of consumers worldwide reported a negative impact on their lives following a data breach. Fraudulent use of their financial information (31%), fraudulent use of their Personal Identifiable Information (PII) (25%) and targeted for tailored scams based on their information (25%) being the main impacts. Interestingly, financial fraud was reported the highest across each country, with the only exception being:
- Germany (PII fraud: 31%)
- Japan (identity theft: 30%)
- UK (tailored scams: 25%)
Consumers protecting themselves
When it comes to protecting themselves, a fifth (21%) of consumers worldwide have stopped using a company that have suffered a data breach. In fact, one in ten (8%) have taken legal action against a company, with a similar figure (9%) considering it.
Furthermore, Banking & Financial Services are where the majority of consumers (69%) are likely to spend most of their time adding additional security measures to protect and secure the personal data they store with them. This is followed by securing email communication (54%), social media (48%) and online shopping or ecommerce (44%). Only a third (33%) of consumers spend time implementing additional security measures in healthcare and only a quarter (24%) implement it for travel-related industries.
Actions speak louder than words
When it comes to what should happen to organisations that suffer a data breach, consumers across the world agree that better data security measures, such as encryption and user authentication protocols, should be implemented. More than half (54%) believe this should be mandatory. This was closely followed by, compensating victims (53%), employing specialists to ensure it doesn’t happen again, (46%), being responsible for finding victims data and having it returned (43%), following more stringent regulation (42%).
Of interest to regulators, is that the lowest priority from consumers to take action against those companies that had a data breach was for them to receive large fines, with just above three in 10 (31%) believing that this should be done.
About the 2022 Thales Consumer Digital Trust Index
The 2022 Thales Consumer Digital Trust Index was based on a global Opinium survey commissioned by Thales of more than 21,000 consumers. Respondents were from 11 countries: Australia, Brazil, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, Mexico, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
About Thales
Thales (Euronext Paris: HO) is a global leader in advanced technologies, investing in digital and “deep tech” innovations – connectivity, big data, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and quantum computing – to build a confident future crucial for the development of our societies. The Group provides its customers – businesses, organisations and governments – in the defense, aeronautics, space, transport, and digital identity and security domains with solutions, services and products that help them fulfil their critical role, consideration for the individual being the driving force behind all decisions. Thales has 81,000 employees in 68 countries. In 2020 the Group generated sales of €17 billion.