The growth in mobile broadband connections has been fuelled by higher speed networks and more advanced technologies. Additionally, the proliferation of new apps and services are allowing people to connect with each other, devices and other ‘smart’ objects (such as cars, home utility meters and health monitoring devices) in exciting new ways. Although the ability to connect with apps and services is bringing huge benefits to consumers and societies, it is also creating a number of privacy challenges and giving rise to concerns as consumer data is increasingly accessed, used and shared by multiple parties.
The GSMA has been working closely with its members to proactively address key mobile privacy challenges and, as part of this, commissioned global research on more than 11,500 mobile users (Brazil, Colombia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Spain and the UK). The research examines users’ privacy concerns and how they influence attitudes towards the mobile internet and apps, and the adoption of these services. The findings show that mobile users from all countries share similar attitudes and concerns about their privacy. This paper presents the key research findings and discusses the implications for policymakers.