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

Cable and wireless lobbyists clash over the future of FWA

According to new numbers from Parks Associates, 66% of 5G FWA subscribers consider their plans to be set at a fair or good price, while 62% report that it is easy to contact someone for customer servi...

Hulu, Disney+ cracking down on password sharing after Netflix success: Will more streaming services follow?

Cracking down on account sharing could encourage those looking to drop a streaming service to do just that, Sarah Lee a research analyst with Parks Associates told USA Today. From the article, "Hul...

OTT Business Model in 2024 – How OTT Platforms Make Money?

According to the Parks Associates Video Market Tracker, there are 370+ independent Over-the-Top (OTT) providers in the United States in 2024. Besides, 88% of U.S. internet households subscribe to at l...

How much will you pay to stream? ESPN, others test the outer limits as competitors file lawsuit

Nearly half of U.S. households canceled a streaming service last year, according to a study published Tuesday by the streaming media analysis firm Parks Associates, with the aggregate cost of those se...