Nearly 60% of People Are Worried About Their Data Being Used by Mobile Apps

NEARLY 60% OF PEOPLE ARE WORRIED ABOUT THEIR DATA BEING USED BY MOBILE

APPS, BUT CONTINUE TO DOWNLOAD AS MANY AS 100 APPS OVER THE COURSE OF A

YEAR.

RESEARCH FROM THE APP DEVELOPERS [1] HAS DISCOVERED THAT WHILST 58% OF

THE POPULATION ARE WORRIED ABOUT MOBILE APPS STEALING PERSONAL DATA,

THEY STILL WENT ON TO DOWNLOAD AS MANY AS 100 PAID APPS EACH, OVER THE

COURSE OF 12 MONTHS.

Surprisingly 73% of respondents said that, despite being worried about

their data, they would still only download free apps – which were far

more likely to be monetised with targeted advertising or by capturing

their data.

When asked about how they preferred to access premium content within

free apps, more than A THIRD of those worried about their data said

they’d prefer to access premium content in exchange for being

subjected to “un-skippable” in-app advertising, this compares with

just 13% who preferred to pay for the content directly or as an upgrade

cost.

Sam Furr, founder of The App Developers said: “Despite the fact that

such a large concern exists, the public continue to download free apps

in abundance, meaning that companies should make efforts to keep their

apps free if they want to reach the largest possible audience”.

He goes on to say “Luckily, only a tiny minority of apps are capturing

data with the intent to sell on, most will fall foul of the new GDPR

rules, demonetising lots of the less trustworthy apps and allowing those

to cut through the noise who genuinely add some value”.

New GDPR legalisation will mean hefty fines for those found in breach of

data protection laws. Of those who have only downloaded 1-5 apps in the

last 12 months, 67% admitted to being concerned about apps using their

data for marketing purposes.

Comparatively, 69% of participants who have downloaded 51-100 apps in

the last 12 months revealed they were content with handing over their

personal information to apps. This could suggest app-addicts are unsure

of the potential consequences of carelessly handing over their personal

information, or are comfortable with the way their data could be used.

However, the overall perception of apps asking for personal information

is negative, with 60% of participants being against it; meaning apps who

request this might be unpopular to download.

Research carried out by:https://www.the-app-developers.co.uk/