A survey in Singapore shows growing demand for mobile app security

A recent survey in Singapore highlighted a significant need for improved security measures in mobile applications.

The study, conducted by Appdome in collaboration with the Open Web Application Security Project (OWASP), is the fourth annual mobile app security survey in the region. It is evident that consumers in Singapore are increasingly vigilant about security, fraud and privacy threats associated with mobile app use.

The 2024 Singapore Mobile App Security Consumer Survey found that overwhelmingly 57.5% of consumers prefer mobile applications over web platforms, with only 17.7% preferring the latter. This suggests a shift towards mobile usage, supported by the fact that 68.7% of participants reported an increase in their mobile app usage over the past year. In addition, a remarkable 70.2% use more than five apps per week.

Security concerns remain a priority for consumers: 97.7% of respondents insist on comprehensive protection for various aspects of mobile applications, including data, login integrity, and protection against malware and fraud. The survey also revealed significant concerns about fraud, malware and social engineering scams: 49.9% of consumers were worried about mobile fraud and 40.0% were worried about malware on the device. Additionally, approximately 38.4% admitted to being victims of cyberattacks or mobile device scams, with similar fears also applying to social engineering scams at 32.7%.

According to the survey, Singaporean consumers now expect proactive fraud prevention measures. For the first time, 80.7% of respondents expressed the need for brands to prevent mobile fraud before it occurs, rather than issuing refunds after it occurs. This expectation highlights the growing demand for preventive security measures from mobile brands and application developers.

The study also provided insights into consumer decisions influenced by safety concerns. A convincing 85.4% of respondents said that app security is as important, if not more important, than the features a mobile app offers. Additionally, 87.7% said they check a brand's security claims before downloading their mobile app. This paints a picture of an increasingly security-conscious consumer base.

Despite these expectations, 22.4% of consumers expressed concerns that developers may not be prioritizing app protection. This sense of frustration could impact the industry's overall approach to mobile app security and compliance with standards like OWASP.

The survey found that consumers are willing to support brands that prioritize safety. 95.6% expressed willingness to advocate for safe mobile brands. Conversely, 69.5% said they would no longer use brands that did not provide adequate protection for their apps.

Tom Tovar, CEO of Appdome, commented: “Singapore consumers continue their upward trend in recognizing the importance of this work, and it is clear that they overwhelmingly want more comprehensive cyber, anti-fraud, anti-malware and Support anti-bot mandate.” Higher OWASP standard, across branded and enterprise mobile applications.”

The Appdome survey collected insights from over 120,000 consumers worldwide and contributed to a comprehensive understanding of mobile app security expectations. The data reflects a strong call for mobile brands to improve security measures to maintain consumer trust and engagement. Alan Bavosa, vice president of security products at Appdome, added: “AI-based attacks will take mobile app risks to new levels, and mobile brands and enterprises must change their cyber delivery models to meet the increasing threat head-on.”