May 13, 2016–The user trust in online information security and data privacy that is required for the Internet “to grow and thrive” is at risk, as “Americans are increasingly concerned about online security and privacy at a time when data breaches, cybersecurity incidents, and controversies over the privacy of online services have become more prominent,” a National Telecommunications and Information Administration official said today in a blog post analyzing data collected for the agency by the Census Bureau in July 2015.

These concerns about security and privacy “are prompting some Americans to limit their online activity,” according to the collected data, wrote Rafi Goldberg, policy analyst in NTIA’s Office of Policy Analysis and Development.  Responses were obtained from more than 41,000 households that reported having at least one Internet user.

Nineteen percent of responding households reported having been affected by an online security breach, identity theft, or similar malicious activity during the 12 months prior to the survey, with risk increasing with the number of Internet-connected “computing devices” (desktop, laptop, tablet, Internet-connected mobile phone, wearable device, or TV-connected device) used by households members.

Risk doubled with the use of a mobile data plan, as opposed to households without such data plans. 

Asked an open-ended question about their major concerns related to online privacy and security risks, 63% of respondents cited identify theft, 45% said credit card or banking fraud, 23% said data collection by online services, and 22% said loss of control over personal data (respondents were allowed to list multiple concerns).

These concerns translated into reports of avoiding the Internet for certain purposes, with 29% of respondents saying that privacy or security concerns caused them to avoid conducting financial transactions online, 26% avoiding buying goods or services, and 26% avoiding posting on social networks.  Avoidance of these online activities were higher among those expressing privacy and security concerns or reporting an online security breach, identity theft, or similar malicious activity during the previous 12 months.

“NTIA’s initial analysis only scratches the surface of this important area, but it is clear that policymakers need to develop a better understanding of mistrust in the privacy and security of the Internet and the resulting chilling effects. In addition to being a problem of great concern to many Americans, privacy and security issues may reduce economic activity and hamper the free exchange of ideas online,” Mr. Goldberg wrote.

“NTIA will continue to analyze relevant data, as well as potential policies—such as encouraging the widespread deployment of strong encryption and other security measures—that could help build trust in the Internet and stimulate the free flow of information and commerce online,” he added. —Lynn Stanton, lynn.stanton@wolterskluwer.com

Courtesy TRDaily