47% teenagers in India facing a data breach: Report

Although big businesses and corporates are all the more on news these days due their names topping the lists of cyber attacks, individuals have no respite too. Among individuals, teenagers are the major victims, shows report. 

According to a report by data privacy company Tsaaro, 47% teenagers in India face a data breach. 

The report highlights that teens are increasingly sharing personal information on social media sites, a trend that is likely driven by the evolution of the platforms teens use as well as changing norms around sharing. 

Over 65% of teenagers are unsure or believe that they have been compromised multiple times in the world of internet, it said. 

The report highlights that much of the media coverage of young people and online social networks has been centred on the personal information that kids provide on these sites. The concerns for young people online include stumbling across age inappropriate information, being approached by predators, and being a victim of cyberbullying or cyber abuse.

Only 13% of the participants felt that teenagers are aware of the measures that can be used to safeguard their privacy which is a meagre number. 

The report shows that 64% teens admitted to being lenient while doing online transactions believing that the World Wide Web is 100% secure hence making them an easy prey of phishing. 

Also, 66% teenagers also believe that there hasn't been enough done to either educate them or safeguard them against data breach or cyber security. And 74% believe that the need for stringent laws is a must for a young country like India.

“While the research report has brought in some really worrying numbers in the teenager category, there is hope that the kids are willing to adopt secured spaces if guided well. The problem lies in education, the system that is thriving on the internet world is failing to inspire our next generation to be internet secure,” said Akarsh Singh, Founder and CEO of Tsaaro.

A report by Netherlands-based cybersecurity company showed that India is the sixth most breached country in the world, since the first recorded digital attacks in 2004.

This report points out that 18 among 100 Indians had their personal contact details compromised since 2004.