Providing Market Intelligence for 40 Years

In The News

More Than Half of U.S. Households Dealt With a Data Privacy Problem, Study Says

A study from Parks Associates, a leading authority in consumer and market research, shows a concerning trend in security threats stemming from smart device use.

The “Privacy and Data Protection for Connected Devices” report shows that 54% of U.S. households connected to the internet experience data privacy and security issues over 12 months. That’s a 50% jump from 2018 when 36% of homes reported problems.

“As we witness this surge in data privacy and security concerns, it becomes paramount for smart home industry players and service providers to prioritize consumer data apprehensions and redouble their efforts in securing their products,” said Jennifer Kent, vice president of research at Parks Associates. “After interoperability, the top reasons consumers gravitate to certain providers of smart home products are user experience and trust – trust that the company will properly handle personal data, and trust that the company will be present for the long haul.”

Over the past seven years, U.S. households have doubled the number of connected devices used in their homes. The report shows that 62% of smart home device users are wary of hackers gaining unauthorized access and control.

“While the growth in 2023 appears to be slightly slower than in previous years, this could be attributed to consumers exercising caution in the wake of historic inflation, layoffs, and looming recession fears,” said Kent. “We anticipate that device ownership will resume its upward trajectory in more favorable economic conditions.”

From the article, "More Than Half of U.S. Households Dealt With a Data Privacy Problem, Study Says" by Kayla Wassell

Previously In The News

Voice Control for Connected Entertainment: Challenges and Opportunities

Smart speakers are becoming a more common platform for controlling connected entertainment due to a rapid increase in popularity and ease of use. Household penetration of smart speakers is expected to...

WiFi, Managed Services and the Home Network: Solving In-Home Connectivity

More than 30 percent of computing and entertainment device owners reported loss of wireless connectivity last year, with home network routers identified as the most common source of the problems, Park...

Password sharing could be costing SVODs billions each year

Password sharing is estimated to result in billions of dollars in missed revenue for both SVOD and pay-TV over time, and the problem is getting worse. For its part, the US cable industry is expected t...

August Adds Wireless HD Video Doorbell to Smart Home Line

The wireless chime included with View also separates the doorbell from the pack. "A chime is usually an add-on extra, something you'd have to pay extra for," said Brad Russell, an analyst at Dallas...