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Survey: Consumers Prefer Keeping Wearable Device Data from Insurers

August 17, 2015

remote health monitoring

connected health devices

fitness tracker

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

What Are The Obstacles To Mass Smart Home Adoption?

Speakers from Comcast, AT&T Digital Life, Schneider Electric, Vivint Smart Home, Rovi and Hewlett-Packard and others participated in Parks Associates annual Connections conference in San Francisco thi...

How Concerned Are Potential IoT Customers With Privacy And Data Security?

Around 40 percent of U.S. broadband households reported in a Parks Associates survey near the end of 2015 they had a recent privacy or security problem with a connected device, primarily a virus, spyw...

IoT Security Challenge Announced by FTC

Around 60 percent of U.S. broadband households are concerned about the security of smart home devices, including 45 percent who are very concerned, according to a recently released white paper from Pa...

Parks Associates: Nearly a Third of Netflix Subscribers Opt for Premium Tier

Parks Associates Senior Director of Research Brett Sappington pointed out that the services premium tier offers up to four concurrent streams and access to Ultra HD viewing, while the basic option onl...

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