65% worry about how much data online services collect – but half read other people’s messages without permission
Over half of people (52 per cent) state they've been put off a service because of the information they've been asked to share, research from WeTransfer has found.
The research of 2000 GB adults and 2,500 US adults found that 65 per cent worry about how much data online services collect from them, while 35 per cent are concerned about what kind of information companies are selling on.
Founder and CEO of WeTransfer, Bas Beerens said: “It’s been a year since Edward Snowden leaked several highly classified documents and there’s been a constant stream of new stories revealing aspects of snooping, phone hacking and data collection since.
“It’s therefore no surprise that consumers are worried about their data, how it’s being used and where it ends up. As a result, it’s crucial for the tech industry to regain the trust of the people who use their services, as well as redefine the use of data in the digital age.”
It was found that 20 per cent see having to share their data as restricting their freedom, while 27 per cent have concerns about governmental monitoring.
This is despite the fact that nearly half (47 per cent) of 18-24 year olds have confessed to reading someone’s messages without permission.
Women are the more curious sex, as 33 per cent confess to reading messages without permission, compared to 27 per cent of men.