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Consumer trust in mobile services remains stubbornly low, according to data from the Mobile Ecosystem Forum (MEF). Speaking on the latest episode of the ID Talk podcast, MEF CEO Dario Betti described the trend as concerning, particularly given the role that trust plays in mobile authentication and identity verification.
“Our index on consumer trust in mobile services has been stagnant at 55 out of 100,” he explained. “That’s not a great number. We’re over the 50 mark, but there are still 45 levels to go before people truly trust mobile security.”
One of the key findings in MEF’s report is a stark geographic divide in trust levels. Emerging markets—including Indonesia, South Africa, China, India, Brazil, and Mexico—exhibit significantly higher trust in mobile services, whereas Japan and Canada rank among the least trusting nations. Betti attributed some of these differences to regulatory environments and consumer experiences, noting that regions with newer digital infrastructure tend to have a more optimistic outlook on mobile security.
At the same time, security concerns remain widespread. MEF’s research shows that 66% of people globally avoid sharing their identity online due to concerns about fraud, data misuse, and privacy breaches. This hesitation could have long-term economic implications, as businesses struggle to balance user security with seamless digital experiences.
Betti pointed out that while consumers once accepted security risks as part of the price for free digital services, that trade-off is now being questioned. “For the last three years, the curve has gone flat, if not even going down,” he said. “The perceived value of free apps is no longer outweighing concerns about data security.”
The full ID Talk podcast episode featuring Dario Betti delves further into MEF’s research, including trends in digital identity adoption, authentication security, and the evolving role of AI in fraud detection. Betti also discusses what mobile operators, financial institutions, and service providers can do to address the trust gap and improve consumer confidence in mobile security.
ID Talk is available wherever you get your podcasts.
