Data Privacy Is a Growth Strategy
General Description of Research:
Protecting customer data is more than a legal or IT obligation. It can be a meaningful driver of business growth. Researchers analyzed 360 real-world company announcements about new or improved privacy practices over 14 years. They found that markets consistently rewarded firms that took privacy seriously, especially companies that had previously experienced data breaches. For leaders, the message is clear: Make privacy visible, proactive and central to the customer experience, not just a back-office requirement.
Research Abstract:
Protecting customer data is more than a legal or IT obligation. It can be a meaningful driver of business growth. Researchers analyzed 360 real-world company announcements about new or improved privacy practices over 14 years. They found that markets consistently rewarded firms that took privacy seriously, especially companies that had previously experienced data breaches. The researchers also connected privacy practices to customer behavior using brand-level data from Osano and YouGov. Brands with strong privacy reputations saw a 12.31% increase in customer patronage. Experimental evidence explains why: Strong privacy practices increase trust and reduce concern, leading to higher purchase intent. For leaders, the message is clear: Make privacy visible, proactive, and central to the customer experience, not just a back-office requirement.