Abstract
Research shows that data breaches often occur when organizations fail to protect users’ personal data sufficiently well. Many devices are connected to the Internet such as mobile phones, smart cars, wearables and ‘Things’ which increase the number of potential entry points into data stores. This paper discusses the potential data privacy risks that users face online. The study used online content analysis and surveys to establish the privacy perceptions of users and trends of data breaches in South Africa. The findings reveal that users have a positive perception of data managers and view them as knowledgeable in data protection. Nevertheless, the results show that privacy risks do exist online, and the number of data breaches and abuses has increased over time. These breaches result in exposure and loss of personal data. The findings of this study are useful in developing strategies and policies to combat data breaches while improving security systems.
