• Home
  • News
  • Fortune 500
  • Tech
  • Finance
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia
data privacy

People Are Concerned About Their Privacy in Theory, Not Practice, Says New Study

By
Erik Sherman
Erik Sherman
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
Erik Sherman
Erik Sherman
Down Arrow Button Icon
February 25, 2019, 9:33 AM ET

Privacy would seem a big thing for consumers, given recent events. Class action lawsuits against tech firms, noise about privacy legislation, and a new demand for privacy related jobs are all signs that keeping information confidential has become important.

So it’s not surprising that a privacy survey from IBM’s Institute for Business Value that came out Monday would show some big reactions to the topic, as Axios reported. Eighty-one percent of consumers say they’ve become more concerned about how companies use their data, while 87% think companies should be more heavily regulated on personal data management. Three-quarters of the people felt like they were less likely to trust companies with data and 89% said companies should be clearer about how their products use data.

But even though consumers are concerned with one story after another of companies losing or misusing personal data, apparently it’s not enough for them to take actions in response. Seventy-one percent said that they were willing to give up privacy to get access to what technology can offer. Only 45% have updated their privacy settings on products in response and 16% walked away from a company because of data misuse.

It’s already been clear that one reasons for big data leaks is because there is little financial risk to companies, as Motherboard reported. This new data suggests that companies have even less to worry about, as most people are willing to keep doing business with them.

About the Author
By Erik Sherman
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon

Latest in

Hank Green sipping tea
SuccessPersonal Finance
Millionaire YouTuber Hank Green tells Gen Z to rethink their Tesla bets—and shares the portfolio changes he’s making to avoid AI-bubble fallout
By Preston ForeDecember 7, 2025
4 minutes ago
MagazineWarren Buffett
Warren Buffett: Business titan and cover star
By Indrani SenDecember 7, 2025
1 hour ago
Tamera Fenske, chief supply chain officer at Kimberly-Clark
SuccessCareers
Kimberly-Clark exec is one of 76 women in the Fortune 500 with her title—she says bosses used to compare her to their daughters when she got promoted
By Emma BurleighDecember 7, 2025
2 hours ago
PoliticsDonald Trump
National Park Service drops free admission on Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth while adding Trump’s birthday
By David Klepper and The Associated PressDecember 6, 2025
12 hours ago
EconomyEurope
JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon says Europe has a ‘real problem’
By Katherine Chiglinsky and BloombergDecember 6, 2025
13 hours ago
PoliticsMilitary
Hegseth likens strikes on alleged drug boats to post-9/11 war on terror, saying Trump can order use of force ‘as he sees fit’
By David Klepper and The Associated PressDecember 6, 2025
13 hours ago

Most Popular

placeholder alt text
AI
Nvidia CEO says data centers take about 3 years to construct in the U.S., while in China 'they can build a hospital in a weekend'
By Nino PaoliDecember 6, 2025
18 hours ago
placeholder alt text
Big Tech
Mark Zuckerberg rebranded Facebook for the metaverse. Four years and $70 billion in losses later, he’s moving on
By Eva RoytburgDecember 5, 2025
2 days ago
placeholder alt text
Real Estate
The 'Great Housing Reset' is coming: Income growth will outpace home-price growth in 2026, Redfin forecasts
By Nino PaoliDecember 6, 2025
23 hours ago
placeholder alt text
Economy
The most likely solution to the U.S. debt crisis is severe austerity triggered by a fiscal calamity, former White House economic adviser says
By Jason MaDecember 6, 2025
13 hours ago
placeholder alt text
Success
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang admits he works 7 days a week, including holidays, in a constant 'state of anxiety' out of fear of going bankrupt
By Jessica CoacciDecember 4, 2025
3 days ago
placeholder alt text
Asia
Despite their ‘no limits’ friendship, Russia is paying a nearly 90% markup on sanctioned goods from China—compared with 9% from other countries
By Jason MaNovember 29, 2025
8 days ago
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • Future 50
  • World’s Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
Sections
  • Finance
  • Leadership
  • Success
  • Tech
  • Asia
  • Europe
  • Environment
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Health
  • Retail
  • Lifestyle
  • Politics
  • Newsletters
  • Magazine
  • Features
  • Commentary
  • Mpw
  • CEO Initiative
  • Conferences
  • Personal Finance
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
About Us
  • About Us
  • Editorial Calendar
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Diversity And Inclusion
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map

© 2025 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.