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Follow UsMcAfee today released findings from the company's 2013 Love, Relationships, and Technology survey which examines the pitfalls of sharing personal data in relationships and discloses how breakups can lead to privacy leaks online. The study highlights the need for consumers to take steps to protect themselves from cyber-stalking and exposure of private information.
86 pc of smartphone owners have personal and intimate information on their mobile devices, such as bank account information, passwords, credit card numbers and revealing photos, yet only 79 pc have password protection on their devices. This leaves a gap in personal data protection, which results in exposure.
"We're all aware of the cases involving celebrities, but you don't have to be a celebrity to have your personal information exposed," said Lubna Markar, Senior Marketing Manager, McAfee India & South Asia. "Sharing passwords with your partner might seem harmless, but it often puts you at risk for a ‘revenge of the ex' situation, landing private information in a public platform for all to see. Everyone needs to be aware of the risks and take the steps to make sure their personal data is safe and secure."
Top findings from the survey include:
Relationships, Break Ups and Personal Data Despite public awareness of data leaks and high profile celebrity photo scandals, Indians continue to take risks by sharing personal information and intimate photos with their partners and friends. The research shows that 96 pc of Indians believe their data and revealing photos are safe in the hands of their partners.
However, McAfee has found that 77 pc of adults have had their personal content leaked to others without their permission. Additionally, 3 in 10 ex-partners have threatened that they would expose risqué photos of their ex online.
Of those surveyed these were the partner actions that lead to the exposure of personal data:
1.Lied (38pc)
2.Cheated (48pc)
3.Broke up with me (41pc)
4.Called off wedding (23pc)
5.Posted picture with someone else (15pc)
6.Other (3pc)
About half of the population has regretted sending such intimate content after a break up and 49 pc of people have even asked their ex-partner to delete all personal content.
Sending Personal Content
Despite the risks, 53 pc Indians still plan to send sexy or romantic photos to their partners via email, text and social media on Valentine's Day. Bifurcating the data according to source, it was found that, 60 pc Mumbaiites, 51.8 pc Delhiites and 47 pc
Chennai residents plan to share their sexy or romantic photos to their partners via email, text and social media on Valentine's Day.
Cyber Stalking
When armed with their partner's passwords, a majority of Indians snoop and check out their partners' emails, bank accounts and social media pages. More than 73 pc of people surveyed have admitted to checking their significant others' social media pages and 44 pc their bank accounts and nearly 72 pc log in to scan their partners' emails. The survey also revealed that slightly more people (47 pc) track their ex-partner on Facebook and 49 pc check on their current partner.
Private Data
It's not just revealing photos that people need to worry about. 23 pc of adults have had their personal content leaked to others without their permission. Sharing information at every turn, increases the likelihood of leaked data and identity theft. Bank account numbers (63pc), health insurance ID's (64pc), email accounts (75pc), and passwords (47pc) have all been shared with relationship partners.
Unprotected Devices
Thankfully, majority of Indians password protect their smartphones (86pc) hence ensuring data safety from anyone who picks up the device to access their private content. Given their affinity with technology and the importance placed on data, 78pc regularly back up or save the content on their smartphones and about 98pc Indians delete any personal or intimate text messages emails and photos regularly.