Women film, share more intimate videos than men: McAfee

The fairer sex in India is ahead of men when it comes to capturing intimate moments on video or sending personal text messages, e-mails and photos, security software maker McAfee said today.   In its ‘2014 Love, Relationships & Technology’ survey, McAfee found 59 per cent women saying they send personal or intimate text messages, e-mails or photos compared to 57 per cent male respondents.   About 30 per cent women said they filmed sexual video content as compared to 27 per cent Indian men.   The survey, conducted across 1,008 people among people aged between 18-54, examined how Indian consumers are sharing and storing intimate data on their mobile devices, especially with current or former significant others.   It also highlighted how sharing personal content such as suggestive texts, naked photos, suggestive video and passcodes on these devices can potentially lead to cyber-stalking and the exposure of private content leaking online.   “Indiscriminate usage of mobile phones to share photos and videos reiterate the realities of digital privacy — or lack thereof,” McAfee Marketing Head (India and SAARC) Rupa Roy said.   Ultimately, users are increasing the risks of these photos becoming public and possibly jeopardising their identity and reputation, she added.   “It is critical therefore to take proactive measures to make sure their personal data is safe and secure,” she added.   While respondents trust their partners to not share their sexually explicit content, about 6 per cent said they did not fully trust their partners.   About 68 per cent respondents said they have checked their partners’ mobiles to check their messages and photos, while 31 per cent said they check their partner’s activities by logging into their partner’s Facebook profile.   About 44 per cent admitted to cyber stalking or following their significant other’s ex on social media, while 43 per cent said they track their partner’s ex on Facebook.   “It’s majorly ‘women’ who carry out the above mentioned revengeful acts, which is mostly because their partner cheated on them (47 per cent),” McAfee said.   Interestingly, 28 per cent respondents said their ex had threatened to release their risqué images online but did not. However, 17 per cent said their ex carried out the threat.   McAfee said consumers should not to share passwords and avoid weak passwords for mobile phones with others to help keep their content secure.   Also, users should use security solutions especially for smartphones to ensure private information is kept safe even if the mobile phone is lost or stolen.   PTI