Eighty-Three Percent of Millennials Value Convenience More Than Safety
Findings from survey conducted at South by Southwest (SXSW) 2017 show 96
percent of millennials would verify their own identity online
HILLSBORO, Ore.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–#Millennials–A survey conducted at South by Southwest (SXSW) 2017 by SureID
identified that 83 percent of millennials value convenience more than
safety. The survey, which was conducted over two days at the conference
and festival, found 96 percent of millennials would verify their own
identity online to ensure it was confirmed, protected against hackers
and unused by anyone else.
Findings show SXSW attendees surveyed, ages 18- to 37-years-old, are
interested in having the ability to determine whether their own digital
identity is secure as well as the ability to verify the identity of
those they interact with online and offline. Respondents included 43
percent males, 55 percent females and fewer than two percent who did not
disclose gender. Key findings show:
- Nearly 60 percent value time over money and safety;
-
96 percent are interested in having the ability to verify their own
identity online, ensuring it was secure against hackers and unused by
others; -
70 percent feel more secure interacting with someone online if they
could verify that individual’s identity; and -
79 percent are less likely to buy from someone, online or offline, who
cannot prove they are who they say they are.
Austin, SXSW’s host location, is one of seven tech-oriented U.S. cities
setting the pace of growth in the ride-sharing industry1.
Ninety-one percent of respondents claimed when participating in an
exchange of services, such as rideshare or on-demand food delivery, they
“definitely” or “maybe” assume a third party has vetted the individual
in question. Yet in many cities, rideshare companies are not using third
parties to vet and credential drivers, which included Austin until May
2016.
“Proving identities is the secret ingredient in the successful evolution
of the sharing economy,” said Steve Larson, CEO and founder, SureID.
“Safety and convenience are not mutually exclusive and must work hand in
hand. The survey findings highlight that we are on the verge of seeing a
transformation of how millennials view their identities, and the
companies and people they interact with on a daily basis.”
Millennials’ interest in having a way to better verify an
individual’s identity is growing. Eighty-eight percent of dating app
users and 75 percent of ride-share users find the idea of an identity
proofing solution for potential dates and drivers appealing.2 The
McKinsey Global Institute found 20 to 30 percent of the working-age
population in the U.S. and Europe engage in some sort of independent
work – categorized as free agents, casual earners, financially strapped
or reluctant workers making up the gig economy. Independent work is
rapidly evolving as digital platforms create large-scale, efficient
marketplaces,3 further demonstrating the need for digital
transparency and security.
“Technology is enabling us to interact perhaps too comfortably with
strangers for modern conveniences. These findings point out the growing
demand for people in the gig economy to prove they are who they say they
are, to create a higher level of trust,” said Justin Oberman, vice
president of identity strategy at SureID.
The survey was conducted in conjunction with the SXSW panel
on March 11 titled, “The Future of You: Identity Tomorrow,” where Larson
and others discussed the topic with SXSW attendees.
About SureID, Inc.
SureID, Inc. (www.SureID.com)
is the market leader in high-assurance identity solutions. The company
creates end-to-end trusted identity programs offering full credential
lifecycle management through the combination of registration, identity
proofing, background screening, credentialing and identity
authentication for government, private enterprise and individuals
including contractors, vendors and other authorized personnel. SureID’s
RAPIDGate® program provides an enterprise-wide, single-credential
high-assurance identity for the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and
Army and the critical infrastructure sector across the country. SureID,
Inc. is the leading issuer of PIV-I credentials. Founded in November
2001, SureID is headquartered in Hillsboro, Ore., with offices in Minot,
N.D., and Alexandria, Va.
1 Brookings, October 2016, https://www.brookings.edu/research/tracking-the-gig-economy-new-numbers
2
June 2016 SureID Use Case Evaluation report
3
McKinsey Global Institute, October 2016, http://www.mckinsey.com/global-themes/employment-and-growth/independent-work-choice-necessity-and-the-gig-economy
Contacts
BAM Communications
Saramaya Weissman, 208-610-3375
saramaya@bamcommunications.biz
