Hot-Button Issues Hit Mobile

05/01/11 02:24 PM

Privacy, security and the possibility of being tracked across the Web by advertisers are all big issues for users of the desktop Internet. And now, with mobile phones more sophisticated than ever, the same issues are causing concern for the large percentage of people who carry around a wealth of personal data all the time.

Online privacy service provider TRUSTe and Harris Interactive surveyed U.S. smartphone owners in February about their concerns when using mobile devices. Their top concern about mobile applications was privacy (38%), followed by security (26%).

Many smartphone owners do their best to protect themselves with strong passwords and by reading privacy policies. But just 36% of respondents said they feel in control of their personal information when using their mobile devices. Tracking was particularly a sore point, with nearly 75% indicating they did not like being tracked by advertisers on their mobile phone.

These mobile security and privacy issues are now receiving media attention as well. Last week, word of a log file that continually tracks the location of an iPhone — and makes that data available in unencrypted form to anyone who has possession of the physical phone — made dozens of headlines.

More info: www.emarketer.com