Study reveals privacy blind spot between mobiles and smart devices

Amidst the rapid increase in the adoption of smart technologies and artificial intelligence (AI), new research from Samsung Electronics reveals that 89% of British citizens are concerned about their privacy. However, these fears generally stop at their mobile phones. The survey of over 8,000 Millennials and Gen Z respondents across Europe found that 28% of young Britons never consider the security of their smart appliances, contrasting sharply with 53% who think about mobile phone privacy daily. This represents a significant blind spot, especially as the number of smart homes across Europe is projected to exceed 100 million by 2028.

Other key findings in the survey reveal that despite 78% of consumers prioritising privacy at the point of purchase, an education gap persists. Only 22% feel very knowledgeable about privacy, while 54% are aware of the data their devices collect. In contrast, 57% feel that they never fully control their privacy, 28% accept default app settings without understanding what they are, and 70% are calling for better education on data and privacy. All this leads to 18% admitting to holding back from sharing data between smart devices, slowing the adoption of connected devices and the benefits they offer. However, 67% would embrace AI and smart-home technology if they better understood the benefits and felt confident in data security. 

Samsung has said that in light of the findings, it will redouble its commitment to providing robust safeguards and transparent privacy controls.