Findings indicate that current policies fall short in making people feel protected online
[Singapore– 26 September 2016] – Online security is the area that warrants the most urgent attention from policymakers, according to the recently published Internet Society Survey on Policy Issues in Asia Pacific. The survey polled almost 2,000 end-users from across the region on their attitudes towards current Internet policy issues. Access is still the primary concern for stakeholders, but Internet security has become top of mind, replacing cloud computing as the second-most followed topic by respondents, as tracked by the annual study. Moreover, 58% of respondents in the 2016 survey thought cybercrime was an issue that needed to be addressed by government, followed by connectivity (47%), data protection (45%) and privacy (44%).
As connectivity has improved over the past year — 70% stated that they had experienced better Internet speed and 55% saw a drop in the cost of their Internet subscription—users are turning their focus to online trust.
“The results of this year’s survey show that stakeholders in the region hold connectivity and security as paramount, and feel these need urgent attention from governments,” explained Rajnesh Singh, Internet Society’s Regional Bureau Director for Asia-Pacific. “As trust online has become a key issue for Internet users throughout Asia Pacific, it’s clear that people feel that current policies are not doing enough to protect their privacy and security online,” added Singh.
The elements of trust online are multi-faceted and are reflected in the survey’s findings. A large proportion of respondents cited data protection (77%) as crucial for building confidence in the Internet. More than half also felt that consumer protection (54%), transparency (51%), and the ability to communicate confidentially (51%) were more important than content, service, technology and applications (45%).
While many believed that policies regarding online security in their country were largely compatible with their human and civil rights, this view did not extend to privacy online. The survey reveals that 59% of participants did not believe their privacy was protected online.
Internet users were also doubtful about the impact of online security policies on their online activities: over half indicated these policies have not increased their confidence in being able to use the Internet securely – and only 34% agreed that the current online security policies appropriately address the real threats and risks encountered online.
Full survey results, including background and methodology can be found at: http://www.internetsociety.org/doc/internet-society-survey-policy-issues-asia-pacific-2016.
About the Internet Society
The Internet Society, www.internetsociety.org, is the trusted independent source for Internet information and thought leadership from around the world. It is also the organizational home for the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF). With its principled vision and substantial technological foundation, the Internet Society promotes open dialogue on Internet policy, technology, and future development among users, companies, governments, and other organizations. Working with its members and Chapters around the world, the Internet Society enables the continued evolution and growth of the Internet for everyone.
Media Contact:
Noelle Francesca de Guzman