DALLAS, TX--(Marketwired - Aug 4, 2015) - New Parks Associates research shows 23% of U.S. broadband households have privacy and security concerns related to usage of connected health devices and the same percentage have a similar level of concern about fitness tracking devices. Both device categories scored low compared to other devices, including smart door locks (40%) and tablets (42%), but the smartphone, which many consumers use with wellness and fitness apps, is among the highest with 41% concerned about security or privacy violations.
"The connected health industries, device manufacturers, and app developers not only need to ensure they have strong security measures in place but also that consumers are aware of the steps they are taking to protect their data," said Harry Wang, Director, Health and Mobile Product, Parks Associates. "Already 35% of consumers worry their personal health information will not remain confidential if online, and with high-profile data hacks making big headlines, consumers are expecting companies to take strong security measures to protect them."
Device and online security is a key topic this week at the Black Hat event in Las Vegas. Parks Associates will examine the impact of consumer privacy concerns relative to the connected health market at its Connected Health Summit: Engaging Consumers, September 9-10, in San Diego. The firm's research Digitally Fit: Products and Services for Connected Consumers also shows some consumer concern regarding corporate use of their health data.
"A clear consumer bill of rights could establish limits and extend consumer control over the collection and use of health data," Wang said. "Concerns about data security have the potential to be a significant inhibitor to adoption, and the industry needs to inform and empower consumers on the security and usage of their data to drive long-term adoption and usage."
The second-annual Connected Health Summit: Engaging Consumers features keynotes from AT&T, Humana, and Kaiser Permanente and sessions featuring executives from companies such as Validic, Eliza Corporation, ADT, and CVS Health. For more information, visit www.connectedhealthsummit.com.
Digitally Fit: Products and Services for Connected Consumers is available for purchase. More information is available at www.parksassociates.com. To schedule an interview with an analyst or to request specific research data, please contact Holly Sprague at hsprague@gmail.com.
About Parks Associates
Parks Associates is an internationally recognized market research and consulting company specializing in emerging consumer technology products and services. Founded in 1986, Parks Associates creates research capital for companies ranging from Fortune 500 to small start-ups through market reports, primary studies, consumer research, custom research, workshops, executive conferences, and annual service subscriptions.
The company's expertise includes digital media and platforms, entertainment and gaming, home networks, Internet and television services, digital health, mobile applications and services, support services, consumer apps, advanced advertising, consumer electronics, energy management, and home control systems and security.
Each year, Parks Associates hosts industry webcasts, the CONNECTIONS™ Conference Series, Connected Health Summit: Engaging Consumers, and Smart Energy Summit: Engaging the Consumer. http://www.parksassociates.com
Contact Information:
Holly Sprague
Parks Associates
720.987.6614
hsprague@gmail.com
