Providing market intelligence for more than 35 years

In The News

Survey: Consumers Prefer Keeping Wearable Device Data from Insurers

According to research firm Parks Associates, the majority of those surveyed indicated that they are not willing to share data collected from wearable devices, even if it meant receiving a discount on their health insurance premiums. In spite of this reluctance, these same consumers were willing to share data for the purpose of troubleshooting the devices themselves.

The results of the survey varied significantly by device. Forty-two percent of digital pedometer owners were willing to share data in order to receive a health insurance discount; for smartwatch owners the total was 35 percent; and for sleep-quality monitor owners it was 26 percent. Nevertheless, a solid majority of device owners was not willing to share data.

Consumers are justified in their concerns about health data privacy. The Los Angeles Times told in July of a security breach in October 2014 where hackers compromised UCLA Health Systems’ computer network, putting 4.5 million patients’ sensitive data at risk. What was troubling about the incident was that it took nearly seven months from the time suspicious activity was discovered in October, to May 5, which is when investigators determined the system was hacked. Additionally troubling was that the data was not even encrypted.

From the article "Survey: Consumers Prefer Keeping Wearable Device Data from Insurers" by Christopher Mohr.

Previously In The News

A Challenge For Video Streamers Will Be Keeping Subscribers

A Parks Associates analysis reported that SVOD churn rate dropped from 46% in third quarter 2019 to 38% in third quarter 2020. Among recent launches, the churn rate of Disney+ was at 13%, and HBO Max,...

Streaming companies to see $12.5B in lost revenue by 2024 due to piracy, password sharing: report

The analysis, compiled “360 Deep Dive: Account Sharing and Digital Piracy” by Park Associates, a research and consulting company that specializes in technology, found the amount of revenue lost will i...

What’s in Your Wallet: Should You Get the Apple Credit Card?—Data Sheet

The war for the couch potato. The latest survey of Internet video boxes found Roku in command, with 39% of the market, and Amazon in second, with 30%. That left Apple and Google fighting over a shrink...

How People Are Using Smartwatches to Lose Weight and Stay Healthy

The most popular category of applications used on smartwatches are health and fitness-related, according to a survey by research firm Parks Associates. More than three out of four heads of U.S. hou...