As high-profile data breaches become more frequent -- think
So how is this changing the way consumers interact with technology? A group of technology executives from Forbes Technology Council weigh in on how the growing concerns surrounding data privacy are affecting consumer-technology interactions.
Clockwise from top left: Mark Papermaster, Jim Walsh, Gurpreet Singh, Pete Kistler, Dmitry Koltunov, Chalmers Brown, David Rajan, Venkat Rangan. All photos courtesy of the individual members.
1. People Will Have Cybersecurity Anxiety
With recent hacks and breaches, more consumers know their private data is at risk. Cybersecurity anxiety is the new normal for our time. As we get more connected, new services change the way we interact and afford more opportunity for outsiders to exploit holes for profit. Moving forward, tight security will require a blend of hardware- and software-level protections with robust data encryption. – Mark Papermaster, Advanced Micro Devices
2. Users Will Want Transparency
People will demand more transparency around what they are giving up and getting in exchange for their privacy. As indirect (vs. paid) models of software funding become the norm, consumers know that privacy is what they are selling in return for access to software and services. People are OK with that bargain if it's explicit. Companies seen as breaking that trust will pay a steep price. – Jim Walsh, GlobalLogic
3. Consumers Will Conflate Security Conscious Brands With Security Conscious Behaviors
What concerns consumers more than getting robbed is being bought and sold. Just compare their lackluster password habits to their growing use of adBlocking technology and adoption of SnapChat. Of course, SnapChat reserves the right save pictures and its data has been stolen. Yet, it will be security conscious messaging, not habits, that will shape consumer behavior in the coming years. – Gurpreet Singh, TalkLocal
4. Consumers Will
The more we live online, the more we put our privacy at risk. People get fired for insensitive
5. There Will Be a Slower Adoption of Consumer Technology
Consumer technology adoption will be impacted by privacy concerns. As consumers move from smartphones to wearables and other IoT devices, privacy concerns take center stage. Slower consumer adoption may occur as news of privacy breaches become more prevalent. Certification of devices and their technology infrastructure for privacy, security and consumer education will help reduce these concerns. – Venkat Rangan, Clari Inc.
6. There Will Be Data Intermediaries
We shall see the rise of a new 'middle player' (organically or by regulation, e.g., PD2) who will act as the custodian for consumer data on behalf of the consumer. This will put the control and power of consumer data back into the hands of the individual. Individuals will grant access to business, thereby creating a shift in the exchange of value between parties. An emerging illustration of this is the UK Government's midata. – David Rajan, GlobalLogic – Method
7. There Will Be Growing Trust in a Selective Group of Solutions
With new platforms, systems, apps and more constantly being released to the public, it is hard to figure out which can be trusted. Society will then come to a consensus on who to trust. These solutions will become standard and accepted by the general public because of their focus on security. We can never be 100% secure, but we can always improve on current security. – Chalmers Brown, Due
8. Real Change Will Require a Smoking Gun. Until Then, Convenience Will Win
We are starting to have great debates about privacy, but it will likely remain un-actionable until something very public happens that the average citizen can relate to. Similar to public reactions on gun control, resulting from gun violence, a big public event where personal information is heinously abused will likely be the catalyst for change. Until then, convenience will trump concerns. – Dmitry Koltunov, ALICE
