UK fear of online privacy breaches up by two thirds since 2013 - says TRUSTe report
Over nine out of ten UK internet users are concerned about their online privacy, according to the annual TRUSTe Consumer Confidence Index launched today (28 January) to coincide with Data Privacy Day.
The index, assembled from two online surveys of more than 1,000 UK people, revealed that 92 per cent of internet users are worried about their online privacy, up from just a third in 2013.
Highlighting the conflict between personal freedom and security of state, 45 per cent of respondents disagreed with the statement ‘Personal online privacy is not as important as national security’.
The top cause for concern was the collection, and sharing of, personal data perpetrated by internet companies. These fears outshone even that of online security threats such as the Heartbleed bug (35 per cent) or government surveillance through programmes such as the NSA’s PRISM (21 per cent).
Just under half (42 per cent of respondents believed that companies should be more transparent, whereas another third felt that the government should do more to protect the online privacy of its citizens.
Chris Babel chief executive of TRUSTe, said: “With the highest number of data breaches on record in 2014, it is hardly surprising that the privacy and security of online data is a big issue in Britain and a growing concern. But with frequent terrorist threats reported on the news it is surprising that so many people consider their personal privacy more important than countering that threat.
“Governments tread a fine line between balancing national security and consumer privacy rights; for businesses the stakes are high too…lack of trust can limit growth and strangle innovation as companies are deprived of the data they need to drive sales.”
This comes as the UK government puts on hold the revival of the 'Snoopers Charter' legally requiring communications firms to store records of consumers' digital movements for as long as 12 months.