Tuesday, July 3, 2001

Web Users Remain Skittish About Sites That Get Personal

According to a new report from Statistical Research, Inc. (SRI), Internet experience does little to ease concerns about loss of privacy on the Web. The study also suggests, however, that a few relatively simple steps can do much to alleviate Internet consumers' fears.

Entitled How People Use the Internet 2001, the SRI report shows that two in three (67%) active Web users typically abandon a site that requests personal information -- 65% of experienced users and 72% of those who are relatively new to the Internet. In addition, one in five (21%) Web users has entered false information to gain access to a site.

At least half of Internet users interviewed by SRI said that they are "very concerned" about

- misuse of credit card information given over the Internet,

- the selling or sharing of personal information by Web site owners, and

- cookies that track consumers' Internet activity.

But 28% of Web users also said they would be "much more likely" to give personal information to a site with a guarantee against credit card fraud, and 26% reported that a prominent privacy policy provides similar reassurance. In addition, Internet users are more likely to trust Web sites for chain stores where they shop or for products they buy.