Australia is a nation of entrepreneurs, heavily reliant on digital channels.
But are they prepared for privacy risks?
The majority of small businesses are either unaware of tracking, or are aware, but don’t tell their customers
Do you communicate to your customers about using a 3rd-party code which can track their activity?
35%
If I knew about tracking, I wouldn’t use it in the first place
32.9%
I didn’t know about tracking, but I wouldn’t communicate this to my customers
32.1%
I know tracking happens, but I don’t inform my visitors
Businesses are uncomfortable.
They are more likely to feel uncomfortable, than comfortable, about how their customers’ data is being used by 3rd party vendors. Zoho surveyed more than 900 small business leaders in May 2021 to understand how they feel about data privacy.
- Well defined, strictly applied
- Well defined, loosely applied
- Does not have one
- Has one, but hasn’t read it and doesn’t know if it is followed
- Doesn’t know if they have one
- Has one, but not fully documented or applied
Only 1 in 5 small businesses think technology vendors have done a good job explaining how data is used
Small businesses cannot be expected to become privacy and cybersecurity experts, so the technology industry and policymakers must make awareness, education and action amongst these businesses a top priority.
Otherwise, with regulation becoming more stringent, penalties more severe, cyberattacks more prevalent and their impact more damaging, small businesses will be unfairly and disproportionately impacted.
For small businesses, a breach could be catastrophic.
Social media is the main source of tracking on small business websites
Do you allow code from 3rd party vendors on your website for any of the following purposes?
Over half of small business advertising activity is done through Facebook and Google
Which 3rd party platforms does your organisation use to promote your products and services?
Operating a business - no matter the industry - in a COVID-normal world will be dependent on collecting more data - for health and safety measures and as a competitive advantage - than ever before.
The reforms are designed to protect, but there must be adequate time to, first, educate small businesses about their requirements and then ensure that they’re compliant.
“If they’re given this support and education, they can continue adding their immense social and economic value to cities, towns and communities across Australia.”
- Vijay Sundaram,
Zoho Chief Strategy Officer.
