Who holds the keys? Exploring global views on Data Governance and responsibility

Data privacy is a top concern for today’s consumers. But that doesn’t mean protecting sensitive information is always cut and dry – Cassie’s recent Privacy Beyond Borders report revealed that only one in ten consumers consider themselves to be “very informed” about data privacy.  

One of the largest areas of confusion surrounds who should take responsibility for data governance. Should this duty fall on individual consumers? Companies? National and global governing bodies? Let’s explore the shifting dynamics of data privacy responsibility in a global context so you can identify areas where your business might be able to pick up the slack.  

Attitudes differ by region

While respondents around the globe are in firm agreement that data privacy practices and regulations need to be strengthened across the board, consumers in different regions are divided on who should actually be responsible for doing so.  

Cassie surveyed over a thousand adults living in the United States, United Kingdom, Europe, and Canada and found that:  

• European consumers were 83% more likely than those based in the US to believe data privacy should rest in the hands of consumers themselves.  
• Respondents in the US were 55% more likely than European consumers to believe companies should be responsible for protecting data privacy.  
• UK-based consumers were 45% more likely than their US counterparts to believe global regulatory bodies should hold the keys to data privacy protection.  

So… whose job is data governance anyway?  

The consensus? A blended approach

Our study revealed that in practice, protecting data privacy must come from a multi-pronged effort from governing bodies, companies, and individual consumers.  

Amid rampant concerns that companies often prioritize profits over data protection (92% of consumers believe this) and an overarching lack of control and transparency, many individuals are identifying the areas where they do have control and taking matters into their own hands via measures like using privacy-focused browsers (43%). They’re also choosy about the companies they decide to engage with: 97% prefer to do business with companies with a strong track record of protecting data privacy.  

Another 97% told us they believe there should be stricter penalties for companies that violate data privacy regulations. And with just over a third (36%) of respondents believing their country’s data regulations offer adequate protection, it’s evident that the onus is on businesses to step up the safeguarding of customers’ private information.  

Stay tuned next week for insights and guidance on what your customers expect from your business in terms of data governance.

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