18 Aug

Canadians Concerned About Online Privacy

Posted in News on 18.08.10 by John Meloche

Earlier this week, an associate in the Synergy offices made a comment about a colleague’s internet use. Noting this his friend visited numerous websites every day in addition to having several e-mail addresses, he made a very interesting comment. “Going online the way you do,” he said, “is like riding a motorcycle without a helmet.”

If you’re wondering, “how so?”, then you’ve asked the same question his colleague did. Internet use, in addition, to many other forms of technology comes with a price. Sometimes that price is a loss of privacy and the risk of having an account of yours hacked into. Our associate believes that we all should take measures to protect our privacy when we are using modern technology.

Today, The Toronto Star‘s business reporter, Madhavi Acharya-Tom Yew writes that a new survey confirms that privacy is a major concern among Canadians who utilize modern-day technologies as communication methods. The annual survey, conducted by KPMG International’s annual Consumers and Convergence, was released just earlier today.

Acharya-Tom Yew reports “that about two-thirds, or 63 per cent, of Canadians are concerned about privacy when using a mobile device. More than half, 58 per cent, are worried about security.” He goes on to note that the survey’s results are not much different than the findings of other polls taken across the world as it relates to people and their concerns with using communication devices like mobile phones.

Canadians have been found, however, to be especially cautious about handling financial matters over the phone. Such precautions speak to the concern that Canadians have about potential fraud that may occur due to the use of these technology sources. Says Acharya-Tom Yew: “Only 19 per cent of Canadians feel comfortable using their mobile phone for financial transactions, compared to 34 per cent of global respondents, the survey found.”

Furthermore, the survey found that only 8 per cent of Canadians make purchases using a mobile phone through a store’s website. Although that is twice the amount revealed in last year’s survey, it is far less than the 28 per cent of global consumers who make such purchases. As well, only15 per cent of Canadians do banking through a mobile device, compared to 45 per cent across the world.

Brendan Maher, the national industry leader of KPMG’s information, had this to say: “These consumer concerns over privacy and security are pivotal to the continued adoption of e-commerce and mobile commerce. Companies that implement robust policies and safeguards and provide for full disclosure of these measures are likely to reap the rewards through enhanced customer attraction and retention.”

Perhaps, going online to do banking is not much unlike riding a motorcycle without a helmet, after all. At least, most Canadians think so. It is always important to take measures to protect your privacy when using any new technology. Never revealing your passwords, for example, is a key technique that many people forget. The next time you go online, be sure to do your part in being safe.

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