More Consumers Concerned Over Security With Smartphones Than With Health Tracking Devices

Nearly a quarter of U.S. broadband households have privacy and security concerns about connected health and fitness tracking devices, said Parks Associates research. But concern over privacy is higher with other connected devices such as door locks (40 percent) and tablets (42 percent), it said. Smartphone security concerns are near the top of the list, with 41 percent of users worried about security or privacy violations, said Parks. "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 Parks analyst Harry Wang. Some 35 percent of consumers worry that their personal health information won't remain confidential if it's online, said Wang. “With high-profile data hacks making big headlines, consumers are expecting companies to take strong security measures to protect them.”