It seems that organisations of all types and sizes still have plenty to do to convince consumers they can be trusted with their personal information with three-fifths (60%) of the public believing their data is routinely misused by companies.
This is according to a study from PrivacyEngine, a data privacy management platform and consultancy, aimed at uncovering the most pressing concerns and best practices in data privacy for 2024.
The study assessed data from more than 1.3 million people worldwide in an effort to uncover what aspects of data privacy are considered most important and what the preferred best practices are.
It reveals that 42.7% of respondents cited avoiding data breaches as the primary reason for valuing data privacy, reflecting widespread concern over the security of personal information.
Conversely, nearly a quarter (22.6%) of participants identified strong passwords as the most fundamental best practice for data security, underscoring the importance of basic protective measures.
The survey also revealed that individuals aged 65 and older are the most engaged with data privacy concerns (26.9%).
However, nearly half (46%) of consumers feel they have lost control over their personal information, and 87% demand greater control over data collection and usage, indicating indicates a strong desire for more transparent and user-centric data practices.
A spokesperson for PrivacyEngine said: “These findings have profound implications for businesses, emphasising the need for robust data privacy measures to build consumer trust. Companies must prioritise data security and transparency to address the widespread concerns highlighted.”
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