(ECNS) - Over 80 percent of respondents in a survey said they have received spam messages or advertising phone calls, with apps increasingly the source of leaked personal data, according to a survey by China Consumers Association.
A study of consumer complaints handled by the association shows that in the first half of 2018, e-commerce sites and social networking software were found to illegally collect personal information.
Over 85 percent said they had personal information leaked. About three of four respondents received fraudulent calls, while 63.4 percent received spam email messages.
Consumers are most worried about their personal information sold to third parties that could make them victims of fraud.
The survey also showed people are generally unaware of app user agreements. When installing apps, 18.1 percent read permission and privacy policies, and 26.2 percent just clicked “yes”.
Among those who simply authorized permission, 61.2 percent said they had no other choice but to accept the agreement anyway while 22.2 percent said they trust app developers.
Most apps require user permission to access location and contact information, at 86.8 percent and 62.3 percent respectively, according to the survey. Some 39.3 percent demand access to the camera and 24.6 percent want microphone recording permission.
In the survey, 57.3 percent said robust regulation of apps is needed and 39.3 percent thought current laws are insufficient to protect personal information from being leaked by an app.
