A majority of UK citizens are worried about mobile apps stealing personal data, yet almost three quarters say they only ever download free apps, which are more likely to be supported by advertising or data capture, according to a survey by The App Developers.

Almost six out of ten (58 per cent) of respondents said they were worried about mobile apps obtaining their personal data, while 60 per cent said they didn’t like apps asking for personal data. Yet 69 per cent of people who had downloaded between 50 and 100 apps during the previous year said they were happy to release their personal data to apps. Those who used fewer apps seem more cautious about releasing personal data: of those who had downloaded between one and five apps during the previous year 67 per cent were concerned about their data being used for marketing purposes.

Whether consumers are comfortable or uncomfortable with handing over data, it appears that free apps have a much better chance of reaching a wider audience. Sam Furr, founder of The App Developers, suggested that the small number of apps that have been created with the intention of capturing and selling on personal data will find it more difficult to do so once the GDPR comes into force in May.

More details here.

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