According to a survey conducted by the University of Bristol, consumers place a high importance on the privacy of their personal data. If given the option, 96 per cent of people would take steps to prohibit stores and online services from disclosing their personal data for commercial purposes, according to a study published in PLOS ONE.
The survey sought to ascertain how much value the general public placed on the protection of their personal data. It investigated people’s willingness to give their data with various sorts of data collection businesses, as well as whether they would pay for data privacy.
The researchers presented numerous scenarios to 265 volunteers online and asked if they would pay to secure their data privacy. Power use, medical records, mobile phone GPS data, social media, internet browsing history, financial transactions, physical activity, and loyalty cards were among the situations touched on.
According to the findings, 96 per cent of those polled were prepared to pay to keep their personal information secret in at least one case. Specifically, 95 per cent of participants desired to keep their banking information private. 79 per cent were prepared to pay to protect their medical information, 72 per cent for their mobile phone GPS data, 43 per cent for their web browsing history, and 39.8 per cent for their social media data. Data from loyalty cards, power use, and physical activity were deemed less valuable since fewer people showed a willingness to pay for their protection.
The sources for this piece include an article in Bristol.ac.uk.