Participating in online surveys with market research firms? Then, you must learn about crucial aspects of data privacy and security. One slip from your end might lead to personal data misuse and compromised privacy.

Having said that, rest assured that genuine top market research companies never tackle your data and misuse it. However, a little cautiousness doesn’t hurt and goes a long way to protect your identity and online profiles.

Read this blog post to know how you can protect your data while you voice your opinions.

Why Your Data Privacy and Security are Crucial with Online Surveys

If your data is compromised, crucial information like name, gender, age, bank account number, social media details, physical address, family, and job details, and many other information get leaked. Such important facts can become fodder for hackers and scammers’ conspiracies.

You might find your duplicate profiles on social media over which you own no control. Scammers can use these accounts to seek financial help from acquaintances and friends. Someone can manipulate your financial accounts to misuse your money. They might hack your health data to benefit from insurance without your knowledge.

If scams go too nasty, your identity can be stolen and misused in criminal activities.

Even if none of these extreme conditions happen, you might get bombarded with useless and annoying marketing calls, texts, and adverts. This might snatch the joy of social media engagement or daily routine.

That’s why before you start participating in online surveys and other market research programs, thoroughly check the legitimacy of the market research firms and the involved brands.

Understand Data Privacy and Security During Various Survey Stages

1.     Before

Find Legit Companies

Panels and market research companies aren’t difficult to find. What is difficult is to filter the fraud. Such false companies might take your personal data and sell it to scammers and hackers. Or steal your identity for cybercrimes. They might even attack your bank accounts and credit cards for financial scams.

So, look up the companies on social media and the internet, check the reviews, and brand-related news.

Read the Policies

Market research companies and brands need to abide by several global and regional laws like GDPR, HIPPA, and CCPA. So, they define strong policies and terms and conditions, which you can easily find on their websites.

Look closely between the lines to know how they will collect, process, store, and archive. And share your data. Make sure you don’t agree to share your data with third parties unnecessarily.

Read how to protect your data while filling out surveys.

2.     During

Understand Survey Methods

Some survey methods could be very personal and data-sensitive. For instance, you log records for a diary study survey, make a video review for a survey, or participate in CATI, where you share your phone number. In all such market research methods, you share your face, phone number, or daily personal records along with several demographic fields.

Although the top market research companies ensure your data security, if you’re not comfortable revealing your personal information, don’t commit to a survey like this.

Online surveys would be your best bet in such a case.

Fill Anonymously

Choose an anonymous route with a survey if you can. Check with the panel about its availability. This provision would help you to opine while safeguarding your identity.

Sometimes, the panel is made up of a closed circuit of people. For instance, a survey is rolled out for teachers of a particular department in a school. If the number of participants is limited, even without revealing the names and email addresses, the authorities can trace the responses back to individuals using demographics like age, education, expertise, etc.

The person might land up in trouble for having honest opinions against the wrong things.

So, reach out to the panel or the brand to opt for anonymous surveys.

Third-Party Data Sharing

Websites might share data via widgets or cookies for advertising and analytics. So, enable only mandatory cookies. Don’t click on any adverts during the survey process.

You can also install ad blockers for your browsers to keep your data protected. And when we talk about data privacy, keep in mind that only scammers and illegitimate surveys hack your data. When you know a panel well, you don’t need to worry about the same.

Read some more tips to protect your personal data.

3.     After

Know Opt-Out Policies

Suppose you feel that your data is not in safe hands after filling out a survey. Reach out to the panel company or the market research brand and know their opt-out policy immediately. No one can force you to remain a member against your will.

Never consent on any form, email, app, social media post, or link without knowing what you are agreeing to.

Know Data Reporting and Survey Outcomes

Ask the brands and panel companies how they process your data. On what basis do they report the survey data. If you feel uncomfortable anytime during the reporting process, seek an opt-out.

A company that never shares any survey outcome or what measures they have taken for improvement after the survey is a shady one.

Want Legit Panel Membership?

Opinionest, one of the top market research companies, offers free registration to the panel members. Also, it doesn’t carry any hidden costs. The panel keeps your data safe and follows rigorous security guidelines. Please register here to make money online and share your opinions without the fear of data theft.