Report: Half of Middle East-North African companies don't yet realize business imperative of data privacy

Less than half of businesses in the Middle East and North Africa recognize the value of data security and customer privacy, The FinTech Times reports, citing a joint survey conducted by the Harvard Business Review Analytic Services and Mastercard. With approximately half the populations in both regions under the age of 24, UNICEF estimates consumer trust will rely heavily on companies' ability to implement data security principals catering to younger customers. According to the report, 80% of consumers in the regions "are eager to embrace digital benefits," but will spurn companies they don’t trust.