Hardly in any other country is so much discussed about the use of data and privacy as in Germany. Nevertheless, over a third of German online users report experiences in which personal data has been misused on the Internet. 

Nevertheless, most consumers feel a high sense of security in transactions on the Internet – especially in online banking.  This was the result of the current population-based consumer survey conducted by Creditreform Boniversum GmbH on the subject of data security on the Internet.

The misuse of personal data in online shopping in particular or in transactions on the Internet in general has a magnitude that should not be underestimated. More than a third of respondents (34 percent, 19.2 million consumers) say they have experienced personal data abused on the Internet, ie used against their own explicit will. 12 percent of consumers even report frequent abuse of personal data. Above average are men, persons under the age of 40, persons with a higher education, low and normal earners as well as persons living in the west of Germany. The good news:

High security feeling among German consumers

Nevertheless, most consumers feel a high sense of security in transactions on the Internet. Consumers feel safest when it comes to online banking and online shopping. Sixty-nine percent of respondents say they consider sharing their data with online banking secure – 44 percent of consumers feel confident shopping online.

Consumers are particularly concerned about the “security of payment” when shopping online (94 percent). This is followed by far by the criteria “price-performance ratio” (88 percent), “simplicity of payment” (86 percent) and the “simplicity of the order process” (84 percent). The criterion of “speed of delivery” is considered by consumers to be the least important (75 percent). If consumer demand for secure payment methods is not met, they stop the buying process. 67 percent say they have already done so. 38 percent of consumers also cancel their order process if no payment methods suitable for them are offered.

Three payment methods dominate the online shopping of consumers

Payment systems such as PayPal or Sofortüberweisung.de (46 percent), purchase on account (31 percent) and credit card (9 percent) are among the three most widely used and most popular payment methods of Germans. Likewise, these methods are considered by consumers to be the safest. Especially with the “purchase on account” the safety aspect with the consumers in the foreground – in particular women prefer the purchase on account under this aspect.

“Consumers still consider buying on account as a secure payment method. It is not only very convenient – the consumer can look at the goods before paying in peace – but he can also handle his data sparingly. He does not need to specify more data than can be found in a public telephone book, for example. Further advantage: in the case of complaints and / or returns, the consumer does not have to wait until the money is returned to his PayPal, credit card, or bank account. He does not pay for the goods until he has decided that he will keep them, “ says Marion Lanaro, Member of the Board of Boniversum.

The survey also asked consumers about their overall assessment of security when paying on the internet. Half of consumers (51 percent) believe that paying on the Internet has become safer over the past five years. Mostly men and younger groups of people agree with this view.

 The current survey by Creditreform Boniversum GmbH, which is based on a representative online survey of 1,045 consumers between the ages of 18 and 69, addresses the topic of “Data security on the Internet”.

Source: Boniversum Press Release