9 in 10 Singaporeans worry about getting hacked

They are scared the most that their family might be compromised online.

Nine in 10 Singaporeans revealed that they fear that their personal data is not secured, a study by public relations firm WE Communications found.

“Singaporeans have been shaken by recent cyber attacks and technology scandals and are comparatively the most anxious consumers in the world about the promises of unprecedented innovation,” the firm said.

Their top concern for data security is that their family might be compromised online (87%). They also worried about unsecured medical records (80%), being a pedestrian in a world of self-driving cars (74%), and 71% worried that artificial intelligence could snatch their jobs away.

Also read: More than half of Singapore youth think technology will decrease jobs

With this, 97% of Singaporeans think that the government should step in if brands are not able to use technology ethically.

The study looked into both rational and emotional drivers that motivate customer choices in eight markets. Singaporeans were found to be the only respondents where rational and emotional scores are relatively even.

Across markets, the study found that respondents were holding brands and the government accountable amidst recent cyber attacks and tech scandals.