The results from a new survey from broadband provider Pure Telecom reveals that less than a third (31%) of Irish people trust social media to protect their personal data among other insights.
Pure Telecom today announced the results of a new survey, which found that less than a third (31%) of Irish people trust social media to protect their personal data. The survey of 1,005 Irish adults, carried out by Censuswide in June on behalf of Pure Telecom, found that only 4% of respondents ‘completely trust’ social media networks to protect their information.
Due to privacy and data misuse concerns, 26% of people have deactivated at least one of their social media accounts. Moreover, it seems that men have been quicker to take action with 30% deactivating at least one of their profiles, compared to 23% of women. The counties with the most account deactivations were Co Longford (60%), Co Westmeath (56%) and Co Clare (39%).
Faltering confidence
In the wake of the Cambridge Analytica scandal it’s no surprise its revelations are having a resounding impact on Irish social media users. As mentioned above, just 4% of those surveyed ‘completely trust’ social media networks to protect their personal details.
In the last month 28% of Irish social media users changed their privacy settings on social media and a further 16% adjusted theirs some time during the last three months.
The level of confidence in social media networks also varied among counties with Co. Carlow, Co. Westmeath and Co. Cavan found to be the three most trusting. The area with the least confidence was Co. Meath, followed closely by Co. Leitrim, Co. Kilkenny and Co. Tipperary.
The generational divide
The survey found that younger generations are more trusting with almost half (42%) of generation Z and millennials trusting them to some extent, compared to just 23% of those over the age of 36.
Are privacy updates too confusing?
The survey found that one in three people (35%) find social media privacy updates too confusing whilst more than a quarter (29%) think they are overly time-consuming. Just 17% feel they are clear and easy to follow. These findings are certainly reflected by the fact that just 14% of respondents accept privacy updates after reading them in detail. However, 31% of people accept them after skimming the information with a further 25% accepting without reading. Meanwhile, 13% take no notice at all of privacy updates.
When it comes to where the main responsibility lies in terms of protecting user privacy and data, the majority of those asked (46%) said the social media network. Interestingly, a quarter (25%) said the user themselves.
Paul Connell, CEO, Pure Telecom, commented on the findings: “There has never been as much of a focus on the privacy of social media users and the security of their personal data. What these results show is that people have serious doubts about how their information is being handled and have lost confidence in social media networks.
“The study also highlights that the Irish population needs a service it can trust. This is something that we at Pure Telecom pride ourselves on – delivering dependable, high-quality broadband services as well as excellent customer support. Our team ethos is built on being open with customers, providing the best solution for them and creating a relationship they can rely on.”
Interested in learning more about Pure Telecom?
Pure Telecom, an Irish owned company, has been providing fixed line, broadband and cloud telecoms services since 2002 to Irish businesses and consumers. According to the provider, it has access to more leading networks and covers more of Ireland than any other, meaning that no other provider can provide a better and more extensive service.
Pure Telecom is focused on providing a more personal, flexible, lower cost and dependable service designed around the customer’s unique needs.
Right now, you can get unlimited 100Mb fibre broadband and anytime calls to Irish landlines from Pure Telecom for just €24 per month for the first 6 months of your contract.
