Scotland: an appy land?

Scotland is a nation of mobile app-y oversharers with little regard for personal security and the consequences of sharing passwords and login details, according to a ‘startling’ new landmark survey commissioned by Royal Bank of Scotland.

The inaugural Mobile Microleisure report, the most detailed and in-depth look yet at the country’s mobile app behaviours, has detailed exactly the extent to which Scots are heavily adopting mobile technology, with 87% owning a mobile phone and mobiles being the second most-used device to browse the internet after computers.

Key findings:

• Of Scots who use mobile apps, on average 98% use them at least once a day with one in four (26%) using them at least 20 times a day
• More than one in four Scots (27%) who have a smartphone don’t have it passcode protected
• Three in ten (29%) Scots who have shared online account details with someone have shared personal banking details
• Young Scots aged 18 to 24 who use mobile apps spend an average of 46 days a year using mobile apps
• One third (32%) of Scots use their smartphone as the number one device for internet browsing
• Three-quarters of Scots (76%) think that using mobile apps have made their life easier

Released today, the Royal Bank of Scotland Mobile Microleisure Report, conducted by leading polling firm YouGov, looks at how Scots have embraced app technology in their day-to-day lives and how they use their mobiles on the go in an ‘always-on’ world.

And as the bank encourages people to take measures to keep themselves safe and secure online, the report highlights some startling findings about people’s attitudes to security while using apps.

While the online survey reveals that 90% of the Scottish population believe mobile app security is important, one in four (27%) who own a smartphone don’t use a passcode.

Just under three quarters (73%) of those who have ever used a mobile banking app use it at least once a day. In addition, a further 50% expect fingerprint recognition i.e. Touch ID to be available when using a mobile banking app.

But those polled demonstrated a worrying lack of understanding of the measures that would lower the likelihood of them becoming the victim of scams or mobile fraud.

Nearly one in three (29%) who have shared their log in details to one of their online accounts with someone admitted that they would share their online banking password– identical to the number who would share their TV catch up log in details with another person (29%).

And Scots appear to prioritise the security of their love life over everything – with just one in 100 saying they have shared their dating app log in details with someone else before.

Unsurprisingly, the report found that out of all Scots who use apps, it is the youngest Scots who are the most prolific app users, with 18 to 24 year olds spending an average of 46 full days each year using them.

Young people also feel the benefit of having a mobile banking app, with 72% of 18 to 24 year olds saying that their mobile banking app made them feel more in control of their personal finances, however they showed a profound lack of knowledge of how to stay safe and secure when accessing apps, with just under one in six (13%) 18 to 24 year olds sharing their login details for one of their online accounts with a friend.

The research also revealed that while social media apps such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram top the poll for app use, 15% of Scots who use mobile apps say that they could not live without their mobile banking app compared to 10% who could not live without Facebook. This highlights the growing role of apps in today’s world, and with the lines between work and play blurring, apps can streamline life-admin and help people stay efficient.

The survey was commissioned to highlight the rise in digital habits amongst Scots as Royal Bank prepares to roll out increased digital capabilities across its own customer app, including the introduction of Face ID at the end of 2017.

Industry experts have come out to back the Mobile Microleisure Report. Professor of Cyber Security, Karen Renaud, said: “This report confirms what researchers in the human-centred security area have been saying for years. When there is tension between convenience and security, convenience always wins. It is unsurprising that people do not want to type in a pass code multiple times a day.

“Apple’s use of fingerprint and face biometrics are a positive move in making secure access to phones more convenient and I would expect to see an increased uptake of security behaviours as these become more ubiquitous and pass codes are phased out.

“It is also unsurprising that young people share their personal banking details. Feeling connected to other people is a very deep need that we all seek to satisfy. What better way to achieve this than demonstrating trust by sharing a password?

“The security professional considers this foolhardy, but human nature is a far more powerful force than fear-based warnings and so you’re not going to forbid this tendency into non-existence.

“One thing to be borne in mind is that cyber security is a relatively recent phenomenon. The “wetware” between our ears is as old as humanity itself. It is going to take time for us to catch up with the security-related demands of the brave new mobile world we currently inhabit.”

The data was also analysed by digital marketing expert Mike McGrail from Velocity Digital. He added: “This data highlights an interesting contrast between the very high levels of understanding of mobile technology and apps among young people and their lack of awareness of the dangers of the oversharing that has become a key part of many of their lives.

“They may be rolling their eyes at older people not understanding a ‘Snapchat Streak’, but they’d do well to take on-board the more cautious approach that ‘older’ types often adopt. This comes from not necessarily having grown-up with apps and mobile tech as part of their lives, so the older among us are naturally warier.

“This report is a welcome step in creating a stronger understanding of how the population in Scotland uses apps as part of daily life and how complacent they can be when it comes to security. The usage trend is only going to increase in the coming years as technology advances at a relentless pace.”

Julie McArdle, Customer Security Manager with Royal Bank Security, said: “This is the first Royal Bank of Scotland Mobile Microleisure Report and the results have thrown up some startling insights into our mobile app use – especially how we prioritise what we keep secret. 

“The report highlights a worrying lack of security awareness among all age groups, including younger audiences who tend to be the most comfortable using online apps and online payment methods. 

“The Royal Bank of Scotland is here to help everyone get savvy about security by providing expert guidance on financial protection, identifying risks and finding solutions so that all generations understand the risk and are better prepared.”

Here are Julie’s and the Royal Bank of Scotland top tips for staying safe online:

• Use the Royal Bank of Scotland’s app. With security functions such as fingerprint login and Face ID, it’s one of the safest ways to bank.
• Check the description of the item you are purchasing carefully before offering to pay for it
• Check reviews or feedback for the company or seller you are looking to buy from
• Always read the terms and conditions of any purchase you are thinking of making
• Paying with a debit or credit card is the most secure way of making a transaction
• Be sceptical and maintain your integrity – don’t believe everything you read online. People may post misleading information about various topics, including their own identities, to lull you into a false sense of security. If an offer seems too good to be true, it probably is
• Keep your mobile devices’ operating systems up to date to ensure that you have the latest security patches and upgrades. Think carefully before jailbreaking or rooting your device as it may weaken security and expose it to additional risks.

The Royal Bank of Scotland security campaign aims to raise awareness of online security issues and to show is the bank’s level of commitment to keeping customers money safe and secure 24/7. Some of the measures in place include:

• A partnership with FFA UK and the Home Office to promote the Take 5 campaign, which is a national campaign that offers straight-forward and impartial advice to help everyone protect themselves from preventable financial fraud
• Ensuring all customers are covered by the Secure Banking Promise to protect them in the event of fraud. This means Royal Bank of Scotland will refund money paid out by a fraudster, if the customers security information has been kept secret, customers will be protected 24/7 by monitoring accounts and using the latest technology to keep customers safe and customers will be helped to protect themselves with tips on staying secure and free tools for extra protection.
• A team of Community Protection Managers who work with frontline colleagues, employees and customers to proactively raise awareness of local scams and make sure these are dealt in the best possible way.  They react to referrals from colleagues and take steps to safeguard customers and their funds, working with the police or trading standards where necessary.

Case Study: Amie Poole

Amie Poole is a 28-year-old Administrator based in Leith. A digital native, Amie is a self-confessed social media addict. Growing up, Amie was a keen blogger too, and started her own lifestyle blogs where she documented her life and interest in music, style and beauty. She was also one of the first amongst her friends to sign up for the latest social media channels.

Amie still has a real interest and passion for all things social, with her favourite and most-used apps being WhatsApp, Facebook, Snapchat and Instagram.

She said: “I’m in a long-distance relationship, so the main route of communication with my boyfriend is Facebook and Whatsapp. It’s the same with my friends too, we barely speak on the phone or text these days!

“I don’t have Tinder, but I’d much rather share my Tinder password than my banking one! Why would you want to give someone access to see your incomings and outgoings? I’d be mortified for someone to see the state of that!

“Snapchat and Instagram are great apps to waste time on. I do all my life-admin whilst on the go, like touching base with friends and family, and I like flicking through people’s pictures of their holidays and night’s out. It’s a little boost in a boring day.

“I do think it’s quite worrying the amount of time I spend on apps, but I think it’s the world we live in now, and everyone else is in the same boat!

“I probably should be giving security more thought, it rarely crosses my mind because I do use my banking app daily. It’s much easier to create new accounts, update details and move money between accounts whilst on the go.

I do think I’m pretty safe when using my personal banking app. I use an iPhone and I only have to use my fingerprint to login now, so to me, that seems pretty secure.”