Survey raises privacy and security concerns for IoT manufacturers

New research shows privacy, security are frequently key consumer concerns and drive buying decisions 66% of British consumers think people using connected devices should worry about eavesdropping.

  • 4 years ago Posted in

A survey conducted in the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Japan, Australia and France by IPSOS Mori on behalf of the Internet Society and Consumers International found that 64% of British consumers are concerned with the way connected devices collect data. Almost half of British consumers (48%) do not trust their connected devices to protect their privacy and a similar proportion (49%) do not trust them to handle their information responsibly. 
 
When compared to other countries, the survey found that 73% of global consumers surveyed worry about eavesdropping, 63% think their IoT device is “creepy”, and more than half (55%) are concerned with how their connected device collects data.  

“The survey results underscore the need for IoT manufacturers to build their devices with security and privacy in mind,” said Internet Society President and CEO Andrew Sullivan. “Security should not be an afterthought. It’s clear that manufacturers and retailers need to do more so that consumers can trust their IoT devices.”
 
The results of the survey were announced today at Consumers International Summit 2019 in Lisbon, Portugal, to an audience of consumer organisations from around the globe working together with representatives from business, civil society, and governments.
 
69% of those surveyed said they own connected devices, such as smart meters, fitness monitors, connected toys, home assistants, or gaming consoles.
 
However, testing by multiple consumers organisations has found a range of products are rushed to market with little consideration for basic security and privacy protections[2]. The survey results show that 77% of consumers across markets said information about privacy and security are important considerations in their buying decisions and almost a third of people (28%) who don’t own a connected device don’t buy smart products because of these concerns. Consumers see this as broadly as much of a barrier than cost.
 
Those surveyed also believe that accountability for connected device concerns should sit with regulators, manufacturers and retailers. 88% percent of survey respondents said that regulators should ensure IoT privacy and security standards, while 81% of people said manufacturers need to provide that assurance, and 80% said retailers must address privacy and security. 60% of participants across markets think consumers to be mainly responsible for the security and privacy of their connected devices.
 
Helena Leurent, Director General, Consumers International said: “Consumers have told us they accept that they have some responsibility for the security and privacy of their IoT products but that isn’t the end of the story. They, and we, want to see tangible action from manufacturers, retailers, and governments on this issue. It has to be a collective effort, not the responsibility of one group. We are exploring this conversation with progressive manufacturers. Together we are looking at the opportunity to create person-centered technology, that people not only enjoy using, but feel safe and secure doing so. By doing this business can address the concerns of those not engaging with this tech, and open up the benefits of the Internet of Things to everyone.”
 
Other key results from survey participants show that:
 
  • 85% of Brits agree that manufacturers should only produce connected devices that protect privacy and security
  • 86% of Brits agree that retailers should ensure the connected devices they sell have good privacy and security standards
  • 59% of Brits who actually own connected devices agree that they are “creepy” in the way they collect data about people and their behaviors.