The Global Internet Public Worried Sick

Two recent surveys revealed that as much as 92% of the internet using public (isn't that everyone?) is concerned about data privacy. Online privacy management services provider TRUSTe reported in its U.S. Consumer Confidence Index the following interesting stats:
 

• 92% of US internet users worry about their online privacy (up from 89% in January 2013 and 90% in January 2012) 

• 55% of US internet users said they trust most businesses with their personal information online (down from 57% in January 2013 and 59% in January 2012)

• 89% of consumers said they avoided doing business with companies they do not believe protect their online privacy (up from 88% in January 2012) 

An additional survey conducted by the Global Research Business Network (GRBN) reported (and to a larger degree corroborated  the TRUSTe numbers) these researched facts: 

• 40% of respondents in the UK and 45% of respondents in the US were highly concerned about the safety of their personal data. 

Data considered to be personal by those interviewed were: 

• National insurance numbers (86% of respondents viewed this as personal and confidential) 

• healthcare data (74% of respondents viewed this as personal and confidential) 

• home address and computer MAC/IP address (49% of respondents viewed this as personal and confidential) 

• geographical location data (46% of respondents viewed this as personal and confidential)

Insofar as trusting entities with their data: 

• 27% of respondents trusted law enforcement 

• 24% trusted banks 

• 10% trusted retail 

I bring all this forward for your consideration so that you might gain insight into what drove me to write and publish the speculative fiction novel The Social Event. The story may be fictional but the environment within which we live sets an intriguing scenario. 

You can read more about these two surveys at the Tech Republic in their piece titled: Big data wake-up call: Increased online privacy concerns require risk management 


Meanwhile, I point you to The Social Event. As I've said, I am merely speculating. The degree to which it may be plausible I leave for you to decide.


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