A KPMG survey reveals that US consumers are becoming increasingly concerned with, and distrustful of, how companies use, manage and protect their personal data. They want both corporations and the government to play an active role in protecting consumer data.
While most survey respondents indicated that consumers themselves have a responsibility to protect consumer data, even more want the government and companies to play a role.
- 97% – indicated that data privacy is important to them
- 87% – characterize it as a human right
- 68% – do not trust companies to ethically sell personal data
- 54% – don’t trust companies to use personal data in an ethical way.
Most Americans still engage in online behaviors they consider risky. The survey found that:
- 75% – consider it risky to use the same password for multiple accounts, use public Wi-Fi or save a card to a website or online store
- 65% – avoid opening email attachments from unknown senders, yet more than 40% engage in the behavior
- 31% – install mobile device security software
- 20% – use their own virtual private network (VPN) when possible.
“Part of the challenge for corporations will be getting employees and customers to do their part in protecting their own data,” said Steve Stein, principal, KPMG Cyber Security Services.
According to a survey of 600 global technology executives, conducted in late March/early April, improving cybersecurity and data privacy are among their top four objectives in which their organizations are investing, including emerging technologies such as process automation, smart analytics, cloud computing, artificial intelligence and blockchain.
Source: Brancati, M. (2020, July 29). KPMG Survey: American Consumers Want More Control, Visibility into How Companies Use Their Personal Data. KPMG.