Page 8 - Feb 2014
P. 8
RESEARCH, ANALYSIS & TRENDS
Valentine’s Day advice: Don’t share
intimate content via unsecured digital
devices
Singaporean adults say they stored intimate con-
tent that they have received in comparison to 58%
who store risqué photos, videos or messages they
have sent. Of those who have sent intimate or racy
content, 83% have sent this content to their signifi-
cant other, while only 8% of individuals have sent
similar content to a total stranger.
Privacy gender gap: According to the survey,
more men than women protect their mobile devices
Timely to Valentine’s Day, McAfee released the findings (87% men vs. 76% women). Given the desire to
from its 2014 Love, Relationships & Technology sur- protect their mobile devices and its content two-
vey. For the first time in Singapore, and the second time thirds of respondents are interested in purchasing
globally, the company examined how adults are sharing biometric security embedded capabilities (e.g. face
and storing intimate data on their mobile devices, espe- recognition, voice recognition, fingerprint recogni-
cially with current or former significant others.
tion, etc.)
The case of the ex: While over 90% of Singapore-
The study highlights how sharing personal content such an adults surveyed trust their significant other with
as suggestive texts or videos, naked photos or intimate content or otherwise private information
passcodes on these devices can potentially lead to they have sent, only 58% have asked their partner
cyber-stalking and the exposure of private content leak- to delete the information when ending the relation-
ing online.
ship. In addition to sharing passwords, 62% share
mobile phone content and 59% share email ac-
A total of 354 online interviews have been conducted by counts. Yet, 73% of respondents have taken their
MSI Research in Singapore between end of December partner’s mobile device to see other content stored
and mid of January 2014 among adults aged 18-54. on it, including messages and photos. Only 6% are
While 99% of the respondents use their mobile device likely to log into their significant other’s Facebook
to take photos, 44% send or receive intimate content account at least once a month, and only a quarter
including video, photos, emails and messages. of those surveyed admitted to stalking their signifi-
cant other’s ex on social media.
Of those surveyed, 82% are securing their smartphone Public display of online affection: With more
with a password or passcode. However, 42% of adult than 90% of respondents on a social media plat-
Singaporeans share their passwords with another indi- form (e.g. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram), of those
vidual, while 38% use the same password across multi- who answered they would be celebrating Valen-
ple devices, increasing the likelihood that these mobile tine’s Day on social media, two-thirds of respond-
devices will become hacked. ents plan to post messages to others or post pho-
tos. Of those that responded, more men than wom-
“It’s always a risk to share passwords with others, yet en plan to celebrate their love on social media on
people still do it. Not surprisingly then, we hear of sto- Valentine’s Day (44% women vs. 56% men).
ries where private and intimate content leaks out,” said
Wahab Yusoff, Vice President, South Asia at McAfee. McAfee advises consumers not to share passwords or
“People increasingly make themselves vulnerable to codes for mobile devices with others to help keep their
risks to their reputation when what is meant to be pri- content secure. Mobile users should avoid using weak
vate becomes public, so it is prudent for consumers to passwords that can be easily determined such as birth-
step up their mobile security and protect themselves.” days, numbers in a row or repeat numbers for their de-
vices. Rather, six-digit passcodes and words translated
Additional findings from the survey include: into numbers using your mobile keypad are stronger
and should be utilized.
For your eyes only: 29% of 35 – 44 years olds re-
ceive suggestive content from someone, the largest Happy Valentine’s Day! ◊
percentage of all age groups. More men are likely to
use their mobile device to send and receive similar By MediaBUZZ
content (58% men vs. 42% women). 64% percent of
8 Asian eMarketing February 2014 - Security & Privacy Protection
