Study: Privacy important, but not expected
Many consumers think having control of their information is important, but they have low expectations that brands, advertisers and social media platforms provide it.
Though the study revealed American’s attitudes regarding government surveillance, the report contained important information for marketers and PR pros.
According to the survey, 93 percent of Americans said it’s important to be in control of who can get information about them, but only 25 percent say they feel confident that records from telephone companies will remain private and secure.
Still fewer are confident in other companies’ level of security: Only 5 percent of those surveyed strongly believe cell phone companies will be able to protect their data, and only 9 percent say they’re “very confident” that credit card companies will protect their data. Trust in email providers, cable companies and search engines was even lower.
Consumers’ expectations aren’t high with online advertisers, either, with 76 percent reporting they don’t think their activity on advertisers’ sites will remain private and secure and 69 percent believing their activity on social media will be revealed. Similar percentages were reported with search engine and online video sites.
No behavior modification
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