Privacy concerns hamper consumer IoT curiosity

7th January 2015

Barney Scott

0 0

NXP has announced the findings of its commissioned IoT study, conducted by Harris Poll. Conducted online in early December 2014, the survey questioned 2,042 American adults and determined that 81% of Americans admit that their concern for privacy impacts their decision to invest in a smart home device, connected workspace gadget or connected car. 56% of all Americans said these concerns have impacted their decisions either very much or to some extent.

Despite these concerns, 69% of Americans believe that these types of technologies would or does make their life easier. NXP, a global leader in enabling secure connections for a smarter world, provides technology and solutions that can help overcome potential security and privacy issues.

When citing potential benefits of connected technology, 45% of Americans said that saving time is the most important factor. This was followed by saving money (44%), getting things done (37%), reducing stress (32%), staying entertained (27%), improving social communication (24%), and improving education (23%).

Americans said that their lives are (or were) made easier by being able to shop online for things they can’t buy in person (36%), stay updated on current events as they happen (35%), keep peace of mind that loved ones are safe from harm (33%), know their home is secure whilst absent (30%) and share experiences with others as they happen (23%).

Despite the potential benefits, many Americans still have privacy concerns, including 69% who stated that they had privacy concerns when it comes to using a connected car. Those who have the choice to invest in an IoT-enabled vehicle are concerned about security of information such as route/destination location (45%), in-car conversations (41%), driving speed (33%), driving violations committed (31%), identity of passengers (28%) and the time of day at which they are on the road (23%).

Privacy concerns also extend to using a connected home and workspace, as noted by 82% of Americans. Top privacy concerns include the sharing of financial information (60%), unauthorised access to personal life activities (e.g. when someone sleeps, wakes or makes dinner) (54%), strangers knowing where the respondant is (47%), eavesdropping upon in-house conversations with other people (43%), spying on private, solo activities (40%), visitor identification (30%), time spent relaxing (24%) and privately held personal beliefs (e.g. religion, politics) (23%).

“As technology rapidly evolves, connected devices also raise a set of questions and choices about the data they generate,” said Philip Lewer, Marketing Director, IoT and Smart Home, NXP. “Our research demonstrates that while privacy is a concern, two-thirds of Americans see the benefits of being connected.”