Analysing the Impact of Data Breaches on Consumer Trust: A Study of Trends and Patterns from 2015 to 2025

By examining trends and patterns over a ten-year period (2015–2025), the study investigates how data breaches affect consumer trust. The study assesses how the frequency, scale, and character of breaches affect consumer perceptions, actions, and trust by using secondary data from industry publications and databases. Key findings show that 68% of incidents are caused by human mistake, and that industries like healthcare have the highest breach costs. Cutting containment times and breach costs requires the use of advanced technologies like automation and artificial intelligence. These findings highlight the necessity of strong cybersecurity defences and an anticipatory, customer-focused response plan. The changing threat landscape and its consequences for companies and policymakers are highlighted in this paper. The study offers practical suggestions for improving data security, restoring trust, and cultivating a robust digital ecosystem by identifying the elements that undermine customer trust. In order to reduce risks and foster customer confidence in digital platforms, the findings emphasize the significance of enhanced authentication procedures, personnel training, and the incorporation of cutting-edge technologies.