GFK SURVEY ON DATA PRIVACY AND TRUST Data highlights GfK 2014 1
Methodology 1,000 completed interviews in the U.S. 18+ years March 7 th - 9 th, 2014 Findings sorted by Generations Pre-Boomers (born pre-1946): age 69 years or older Baby Boomers (born 1946-1964): age 50 to 68 years Generation X (born 1965-1979): age 35 to 49 years Generation Y (born 1980-1989): age 25 to 34 years Generation Z (born 1990-1995): age 19 to 24 years GfK 2014 2
Research focus Privacy and security have become a concern for consumers nationwide. Amid recent data breach scandals in the US, this survey aims to understand how consumers view and manage their personal data. The survey looks at a number of key issues, including: How generations behave online and measurements they take to protect their own data The generational gap between Millennials and Boomers on their level of concern toward their personal data How recent data breaches have impacted Millennials, the new Generation Z and Baby Boomers and their consumer tendencies Who should lead policy changes GfK 2014 3
Consumers are increasingly concerned about their data GfK 2014 4
The protection of personal data is a concern across all generations Overall, 88 percent of respondents are somewhat to very concerned about the protection of their personal data, and this trend spans all generations. Are you concerned about the protection of your personal data? 10 Very much 49% 47% 45% 49% 51% 5 A little Barely 2 39% 36% 42% 37% 41% 36% Not at all 12% 7% 7% 7% 5% 5% 6% 6% 7% 3% 5% 1% GfK 2014 5
The impact is personal One-third of the respondents have been affected, at least once, by the misuse of personal data in the past year. Have you ever been personally affected by the misuse of personal data? 10 11% 1 12% 12% 11% 12% Yes, several times 22% 24% 21% 26% 19% 1 Yes, once 24% 31% 23% 21% 23% 26% I do not know No, never 2 43% 35% 45% 41% 4 44% GfK 2014 6
Concerns are increasing The public debate about data privacy has had a strong impact, with saying their concern has risen in the last 12 months. In the last twelve months has your concern about the protection of your personal data changed? 10 24% 2 24% 26% 19% 26% Has increased significantly Has increased moderately 36% 35% 36% 32% 33% Has increased barely 2 16% 15% 16% 14% 1 19% 25% 19% 26% 26% 27% 22% Has not increased at all GfK 2014 7
Consumers are taking steps to address their concerns GfK 2014 8
Do you avoid any of the following online services / activities for reasons of data protection? Baby Boomers and Pre- Boomers are more protective of their online activities when compared to younger generations. Online auctions 1 1 14% 17% 22% 22% 26% Total Gen Z Gen Y Gen X Similar to Baby Boomers, Generation Z seems to be more concerned about online banking, when compared to Generations Y and Z. Online banking Social networks 12% 13% 16% 16% 14% 11% 14% 21% 21% Baby Boomer Pre-Boomer 1 26% Online competitions 14% 13% 11% 1 1 19% 2 GfK 2014 9
Do you avoid any of the following online services / activities for reasons of data protection? Consumers as a whole are avoiding some services, with older generations being the most cautious and Generations X and Y being the least concerned. Communication platforms 6% 7% 13% 12% 13% 1 2 Total Gen Z Gen Y Gen X Online payment 9% Baby Boomer Pre-Boomer 17% 16% 11% 1 Bonus programs 6% 13% 1 1 11% 1 Apps 6% 15% 14% 2 GfK 2014 10
Do you avoid any of the following online services / activities for reasons of data protection? Overall, consumers are least concerned about online shopping, location services and e-mail services. Older generations are the least trusting of online games. Online games 5% 1 9% 14% 16% Total Gen Z Gen Y Gen X Online shopping 6% 7% 12% Baby Boomer Pre-Boomer 9% Location services or maps 6% 9% 7% 9% 5% E-Mail services 4% 4% 7% 9% 11% 9% 2 GfK 2014 11
Over half of consumers believe the US government is not doing enough to protect their data Two-thirds (66%) of older generations think the US government is not doing enough to protect their data. Generations Z and Y are slightly more satisfied with the government role on data protection, but distrust is still high. Agreement with the statement: The US government is doing enough to protect the data of its citizens 10 Don't really agree / Don't agree at all 54% 12% 43% 43% 11% 14% 51% 15% 66% 66% Don't know / no response Agree completely / Agree partly 1 13% 2 33% 46% 44% 35% 25% 21% GfK 2014 12
Consumers call for stricter regulations Overall, almost 80 percent of respondents feel that there should be more regulations, preventing organizations from repurposing personal data to third parties. This is a concern across generations. Agreement with the statement: I feel that there should be more regulations preventing organizations from repurposing personal data to third parties 10 13% 1 12% 11% 16% 15% 12% 6% 1% 11% Don't really agree / Don't agree at all Don't know / no response 79% 7 73% 84% 84% Agree completely / Agree partly 2 GfK 2014 13
Who should lead policy changes? GfK 2014 14
Consumers are seeking change through a number of channels They specifically want top industries to change their practices. Half of consumers interviewed also want more regulations on repurposing data. 56% 56% 54% 53% 53% Social Networks Credit Card Companies Marketers and Advertisers Authorities Online Search Engines GfK 2014 15
Social networks need improved policies Baby Boomers and Pre-Boomers agree that online social networks need to change their policies and activities when it comes to data privacy and use of personal data. Generation Z is the least concerned about how social networks handle their private data. Agreement with the statement: Online social networks need to change their policies and activities when it comes to data privacy and use of personal data 10 2% Bottom 2 Box Disagreement 13% 27% 1 12% Top 2 Box Agreement 83% 2 56% 42% 52% 51% 63% GfK 2014 16
Over half of all consumers demand policy changes by credit card companies related to data privacy and use of personal data Younger generations seem to be less concerned about credit card companies practices. Older generations call for improved policies. Agreement with the statement: Credit card companies need to change their policies and activities when it comes to data privacy and use of personal data 10 2% Bottom 2 Box Disagreement 14% 27% 21% 13% 9% Top 2 Box Agreement 2 55% 44% 44% 52% 64% GfK 2014 17
Marketers and advertisers face challenges around their policies and activities related to data privacy and use of personal data Over half of respondents want change, and the concern grows with age. Agreement with the statement: Marketers and advertisers need to change their policies and activities when it comes to data privacy and use of personal data 10 4% Bottom 2 Box Disagreement 12% 21% 1 11% 6% Top 2 Box Agreement 2 54% 47% 46% 5 75% GfK 2014 18
Authorities (e.g. government agencies) need to change their policies and activities when it comes to data privacy and use of personal data Three-quarters of Pre-Boomers want policies and activities changed by authoritative groups. Agreement with the statement: Authorities (e.g. government agencies) need to change their policies and activities when it comes to data privacy and use of personal data 10 5% Bottom 2 Box Disagreement 16% 31% 24% 14% 9% Top 2 Box Agreement 2 53% 47% 49% 59% 74% GfK 2014 19
Online search engines need to change their policies and activities around data privacy and use of personal data Trends around online search engines are similar to credit card companies, government organizations, social networks, and marketers & advertisers. Agreement with the statement: Online search engines need to change their policies and activities when it comes to data privacy and use of personal data 10 2% Bottom 2 Box Disagreement 13% 2 21% 12% Top 2 Box Agreement 74% 2 53% 4 47% 47% 5 GfK 2014 20
Consumers trust trust is is not not shared shared equally with with all all organizations E-commerce and online payment platforms, healthcare providers, and banks score well. GfK 2014 21
Consumers trust is not shared equally across all organizations Marketers and advertisers, international businesses, and social networks are the least trusted with personal data. Hospitals and healthcare providers, online payment systems, and retailers are the most trusted: Doctors, Hospitals and Healthcare Providers Online Payment Systems Online Retailers Banks Smaller retailers My employer Online Search Engines Internet Sevice Providers Health Insurance Companies Cable Providers Energy Providers Insurance Companies Telecommunications Companies Market and Opinion Researchers Credit Card Companies Providers of Online Services Environmental Organizations Tour Operators/Airlines Authorities Online Communications Platforms Online Social Networks International Businesses Marketers and Advertisers % of respondents which trust completely / trust mostly 2 25% 39% 47% 46% 45% 42% 42% 49% 4 52% 5 53% 53% 52% 5 55% 55% 54% 71% 6 64% 72% GfK 2014 22
Trust in online social networks varies by age There is a significant gap between older and younger generations on trust in online social networks. Pre-Boomers and Boomers have distrust levels above 60 percent, while almost 60 percent of Generation Z trusts them completely. How much do you trust online social networks with regard to how your personal data is handled? 10 52% 3 5% 45% 47% 61% 66% Don't really trust them /Don't trust them at all Don't know / no response 9% 57% 1 12% 11% Trust them completely / mostly 2 39% 45% 41% 31% 24% GfK 2014 23
One size fits all: Trust in authorities (e.g. governmental agencies) Levels of distrust in government authorities to properly handle personal data are highest among Boomers and Pre-Boomers. How much do you trust authorities with regard to how your personal data is handled? 10 49% 4 42% 45% 12% 55% 6% 61% 6% Don't really trust them /Don't trust them at all Don't know / no response Trust them completely / mostly 2 42% 45% 5 43% 39% 33% GfK 2014 24
Trust in online retailers Even though the latest data breach scandals pose a threat to large brands, trust in retailers is still higher than for governments and social media. There is a clear gap between Generation Z and Pre-Boomers when it comes to trust in online retailers. How much do you trust online retailers with regard to how your personal data is handled? 10 25% 21% 24% 24% 2 2% 7% 11% 9% 6% 32% 1 Don't really trust them /Don't trust them at all Don't know / no response 6 77% 66% 6 67% 5 Trust them completely / mostly 2 GfK 2014 25
Trust in banks A majority of people have trust in banks when it comes to the use of personal data; Generation Z and Pre-Boomers show the lowest level of confidence. How much do you trust banks with regard to how your personal data is handled? 10 29% 33% 29% 2 29% 33% Don't really trust them /Don't trust them at all 7% 9% 5% 4% Don't know / no response Trust them completely / mostly 64% 59% 63% 64% 67% 64% 2 GfK 2014 26
Trust in credit card companies Compared to banks, credit card companies score significantly lower in the level of trust; Baby Boomers especially have concerns. How much do you trust credit card companies with regard to how your personal data is handled? 10 42% 42% 1 1 1 11% 45% 9% 3 6% Don't really trust them /Don't trust them at all Don't know / no response Trust them completely / mostly 2 4 5 4 49% 46% 56% GfK 2014 27
How data privacy concerns affect marketing and the advertising industry GfK 2014 28
High distrust in marketers and advertisers related to use of personal data Seven out of 10 Baby Boomers, and 8 out of 10 Pre-Boomers, distrust marketers and advertisers with their data. How much do you trust marketers and advertisers with regard to how your personal data is handled? 10 64% 56% 53% 59% 73% 7 Don't really trust them /Don't trust them at all Don't know / no response 2 13% 13% 13% 11% 31% 33% 25% 2 19% 13% Trust them completely / mostly GfK 2014 29
Privacy invasion vs. public security Younger generations are more in agreement with having their communications data tracked without approval, in order to promote a safer environment. Overall, more than half of the respondents do not agree with such practices. Baby Boomers are the most concerned. Agreement with the statement: I accept that my communications data (e.g. phone, online) can be recorded without my approval to prevent crime 10 42% 52% 4 46% 57% 63% 9% 1 13% 9% 9% 7% 49% 2 3 43% 41% 3 34% Don't really agree / Don't agree at all Don't know / no response Agree completely / Agree partly GfK 2014 30
Generational concerns about swapping free services for their data for advertising Younger generations are less concerned with the use of their personal data if they have access to free online services, while Baby Boomers and Pre-Boomers are largely opposed. Agreement with the statement: I use free services online and on smartphones / tablets and don t mind if my data is potentially also used for advertising purposes 10 35% 41% 55% 5 69% 14% 7% 12% 1 7 Don't really agree / Don't agree at all Don't know / no response Agree completely / Agree partly 2 51% 52% 7% 35% 37% 7% 24% 16% GfK 2014 31
Half of all consumers see the benefit of tailored advertising Generation Y is particularly appreciative of customized services that match their interests. Agreement with the statement: Advertising that is tailored to my needs is helpful because I can find the right products and services more quickly 10 43% 3 34% 39% 52% 52% 13% 1 5% 5% Don't really agree / Don't agree at all Don't know / no response Agree completely / Agree partly 2 49% 49% 5 51% 43% 43% GfK 2014 32
CONTACT David Stanton david.stanton@gfk.com (908) 875-9844 GfK 2014 33