Smart home technology makes life easier for users in Ireland, but survey results also highlight strong worries about data security and privacy

Reach Insights Press Release

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14th February 2019

Smart home technology makes life easier for users in Ireland, but survey results also highlight strong worries about data security and privacy 

81% believe smart homes make life easier

72% feel more relaxed because of smart technology

However, concerns exist about personal data theft (52%) and spying (34%)

Over the last number years, we have seen greater and greater integration between technology such as smart phone applications and home appliances such as heating and lighting. With the notion of “smart homes” very much coming to the fore, iReach has conducted a nationally representative survey of 1001 people in Ireland to better understand how they feel about this relatively new phenomenon.

The results demonstrate just how useful users of smart technology in the home find it to be, as well as highlighting some very real concerns about safety and privacy.

Although only 13% of people in Ireland have a smart home (up 3% from 2018), an enormous 81% of them believe that a smart home makes life much easier. Additionally, 72% say that they are more relaxed as they can control their home from wherever they are.

The strong endorsement for smart homes is continued as a further 77% would recommend a smart home to anyone who is thinking about getting one, with over half (53%) of smart home owners who believe they have saved money by implementing smart technology into their home.

Whilst 48% of people who have a smart home feel safer as a result of the technology, there are nonetheless some concerns around security and data protection.

52% of those with a smart home are fearful of having personal data about their daily habits stolen, an increase of 8% from last year. Similarly, 34% worry about being spied on because of their use of smart technology at home.

35% of people in Ireland feel that they are likely to implement smart technology in their home in the future, with those aged between 18-34 more likely (41%) to do so than those over 55 year of age (28%).

About iReach Insights

iReach Insights provides a range of research and market intelligence services in Ireland and Europe. iReach has built a Consumer Decisions Research Panel of 40,000 members in Ireland, delivering robust research insights. The survey questions were included in the Nationally Representative iReach Consumer Decisions Omnibus run between the 31st of January and the 7th of February and has a 3% Confidence Interval and 95% Confidence Level.

Questions asked of participants:

Do you have a smart home?

Please state how much you agree or disagree with the following statements about “smart homes”: A smart home makes life much easier/ I’m more relaxed since I can control my home from wherever I am/ I would recommend a smart home to anyone who is thinking about getting one/ I have saved money by implementing smart home technology into my home/ I feel safer at home now that I have a smart home/ I am fearful that people can steal my personal data concerning my daily life habits/ I am fearful that someone could spy on me because I have a smart home.

How likely are you to implement smart technology in your home in the future?

iReach Insights Limited – Temple Hall, Temple Road, Blackrock, CO. Dublin, IRELAND.

iReach Managing Director: Oisin Byrne
T: 01-214 3740 or email: PR@ireachhq.com