Consumers poised to penalise businesses that don’t take privacy seriously
21 May 2018

MRS is highlighting the findings of two reports on privacy and consumer trust which it believes to be of critical importance to all businesses as they prepare for the new GDPR legislation which comes into effect on 25 May.

The GDPR legislation is designed to improve how businesses look after personal data and communicate with customers. But with the latest research from CapGemini revealing that 85% of businesses in the EU and US are unlikely to be compliant, MRS says it’s important that consumers and brands see this as a watershed moment to transform their businesses and drive further growth.

Those key findings are:

1. Young people care more about privacy than (Zuckerberg) thinks

See the report: Private Lives? Putting the consumer at the heart of the debate 

The findings in this report challenge the myth that teenagers do not care about their personal data privacy. Contrary to Mark Zuckerberg’s declaration that privacy is no longer a ‘social norm’,  our report showed that young people take the issue seriously and are very active in safeguarding their privacy, using a variety of methods to protect aspects of their online activity and identity.  

2. Consumers rate 'data security' as the no.1 trust factor for doing business

See the report: Great expectations: How technology impacts consumer trust 


This report found that data security is the most influential factor when determining consumer trust – a significant shift from a time when providing dependable service was enough to secure loyalty.

GDPR - helping you get ready

We have developed a range of quick briefings and webinars to help you navigate the new regulation, whether you are an SME or a larger organisation.

See our GDPR support