Growing numbers of Brits 'share personal details online'

2009-10-30

Growing numbers of people could be exposing themselves or their company to the risk of a data breach, new research suggests.

A survey by the Internet Advertising Bureau (IAB) UK indicates that 50 per cent more people are comfortable with sharing personal data on the internet than five years ago.

Younger internet users, aged between 16 and 24 years old, are far more comfortable with sharing their personal details over the internet, with 65 per cent more claiming to trust it more today.

Nine in ten people admitted to sharing personal data online with at least one type of website.

Nearly three quarters of respondents admitted to sharing details with shopping sites, while 71 per cent have put personal information on a banking website.

Commenting on the research, head of regulatory affairs at the IAB Nick Stringer said: "As online becomes more about the internet user and ads become more targeted, it's never been so important to consider and respect consumers in order to keep digital marketing popular and effective.

"That's why investment in attitudes and levels of understanding are key to the development of the online behavioural advertising industry."

Recent figures gathered by Software AG from the UK's Information Commissioner's Office indicate that there were 356 data breach incidents voluntarily reported between November 2008 and September 2009.

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