Register

I agree with the Privacy Policy

In The News

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

43% Plan To Purchase A Smart Home Device This Year: Study

“Having smart home devices pre-installed in the home creates an immediate opportunity to demonstrate specific value propositions in safety, energy management and convenience,” stated Patrice Samuels,...

TV Platforms Benefit From Easy Cancellation Policies

Month-to-month digital media analysts continue to follow “churn” issues — entertainment consumers who drop or add services. A 2018 Parks Associates report says about 18% of U.S. broadband households c...

Fox News Streaming Service Seeks Broader Audience With Hunting and True-Crime Shows

Finding the right streaming formula is a key test for Fox, even if it’s still early days. Fox Nation currently has 200,000 to 300,000 subscribers, according to research firm Parks Associates. (Compare...

App for COVID-19 contact tracing faces hurdles, generational divide over privacy concerns

A survey of 5,000 adults by Parks Associates indicates roughly half, 52 percent, are willing to share tracking data in an app while 28 percent are unwilling. Twenty percent are willing but only with p...

‹
1
2
...
684
685
686
687
688
689
690
...
717
718
›