The Effect of Data Compromises on Internet Users: A Review on Financial Implication of the Elderly in the United States

Abstract

Data compromises, specifically personal data breach, in recent years, have become one of the issues that have caught the attention of the government as well as the relevant agencies because of their negative impact on elderly people in the U.S. as regard the amount of finance lost yearly to internet crime activities. The inability to effectively curb the level of internet criminal activities in the country has also resulted in financial loss trending for a few years among elderly people who are also the primary victims. The objective of the article is to review the financial implications of data compromises on elderly people concerning personal data breaches as well as to make a few recommendations to relevant bodies. The article adopted a descriptive-analytical method in the study to review data compromises while focusing on personal data breaches among elderly people. Data was collected through secondary means that focused on personal data breaches and financial loss between the years 2018 and 2022. The study review found that personal data breaches have become a trend among elderly people through which internet criminal activities were common in the U.S. The trended outcome of the data compromises have resulted in the financial loss among elderly people in the country. The article suggested a few recommendations to government and concerned agencies on the measures they could take to protect elderly people against falling victim to personal data breaches that prey on their finances.