The article highlights a survey by Digital Business Ireland (DBI) revealing that 65% of Irish consumers rising to 81% among those aged 55+ would abandon an online retailer permanently after a data breach. The reputational fallout translates to long-term revenue loss, particularly as 87% of respondents shopped online monthly, with 47% spending €100+ per transaction and 22% spending €250+. Younger consumers (25-34) show slightly more tolerance (54% would continue purchasing), but the overall commercial impact remains severe, with trust erosion directly tied to declining sales and customer retention. The breach’s ripple effect extends beyond immediate financial loss, undermining consumer confidence in digital commerce a critical driver for DBI’s member retailers. The survey underscores that data protection failures trigger mass defection, especially among high-spending demographics (e.g., 37% of 25-34-year-olds spend €250+ monthly). While no specific retailer is named, the aggregated damage to DBI-affiliated businesses is implied to be substantial, with no clear recovery pathway for lost customers. The incident aligns with broader trends where reputational harm from breaches outlasts technical remediation, crippling revenue streams in a highly competitive e-commerce landscape.
TPRM report: https://www.rankiteo.com/company/digital-business-ireland
"id": "dig5034750092925",
"linkid": "digital-business-ireland",
"type": "Breach",
"date": "9/2025",
"severity": "100",
"impact": "5",
"explanation": "Attack threatening the organization's existence"{'affected_entities': [{'industry': 'Digital Commerce',
'location': 'Ireland',
'name': 'Digital Business Ireland (DBI)',
'type': 'Industry Association'},
{'customers_affected': ['65% of consumers (general)',
'81% of 55+ consumers',
'46% of 25-34 consumers'],
'industry': 'E-Commerce',
'location': 'Ireland',
'name': 'Irish Online Retailers (General)',
'type': 'Business Sector'}],
'date_publicly_disclosed': '2023-10-01',
'description': 'A Digital Business Ireland (DBI) report reveals that 65% of '
'Irish consumers would not return to an online retailer after '
'a data breach, with older consumers (55+, 81%) being less '
'forgiving than younger ones (25-34, 54% would continue '
'purchasing). The survey, conducted by Amárach Research, '
'underscores the long-term commercial consequences of '
'reputational damage due to cyber incidents, emphasizing the '
'critical role of consumer trust and data protection in '
'digital commerce. Key trends include high online spending '
'(47% spent €100+ in the past month) and generational '
'differences in spending habits (37% of 25-34-year-olds spent '
'€250+ vs. 13% of over-55s). DBI urges businesses to '
'prioritize cybersecurity investments to safeguard trust and '
'meet consumer expectations.',
'impact': {'brand_reputation_impact': ['Long-term commercial consequences',
'Loss of consumer trust',
'Generational disparity in trust '
'recovery'],
'conversion_rate_impact': ['65% of consumers unlikely to return '
'post-breach',
'81% of 55+ consumers unlikely to '
'return',
'54% of 25-34 consumers would continue '
'purchasing']},
'investigation_status': 'Completed (Survey-Based Study)',
'lessons_learned': ['Consumer trust is critical for digital commerce and '
'difficult to regain post-breach.',
'Generational differences exist in tolerance for cyber '
'incidents (younger consumers more forgiving).',
'Reputational damage from breaches has long-term '
'commercial consequences.',
'Proactive investment in cybersecurity and data '
'protection is essential to meet consumer expectations.'],
'post_incident_analysis': {'corrective_actions': ['Increased cybersecurity '
'investments by retailers.',
'Enhanced consumer '
'education on data safety '
'measures.',
'Development of '
'age-specific '
'trust-building '
'strategies.'],
'root_causes': ['Lack of consumer trust in data '
'protection post-breach.',
'Generational gaps in risk '
'perception and tolerance for '
'cyber incidents.']},
'recommendations': ['Businesses should prioritize cybersecurity investments '
'to protect consumer trust.',
'Regular tracking of consumer attitudes (e.g., via '
'Digital Consumer Index) can help adapt strategies.',
'Enhanced communication and transparency may mitigate '
'trust erosion post-breach.',
'Targeted approaches for different age groups (e.g., '
'older consumers may require more reassurance).'],
'references': [{'date_accessed': '2023-10-01',
'source': 'Digital Business Ireland (DBI) Digital Consumer '
'Index'},
{'date_accessed': '2023-10-01',
'source': 'TechCentral Reporters'}],
'response': {'communication_strategy': ['Public report via Digital Consumer '
'Index',
'Media statements by Caroline Dunlea '
'(DBI Chairperson)',
'Urged businesses to prioritize '
'cybersecurity investments'],
'third_party_assistance': ['Amárach Research (survey partner)']},
'stakeholder_advisories': ['DBI urges businesses to strengthen trust and '
'improve security measures.',
'Caroline Dunlea (DBI Chairperson) emphasizes that '
'consumer confidence in data safety is fundamental '
'to online business.'],
'title': 'Impact of Data Breaches on Irish Consumer Trust in Online Retailers',
'type': ['Reputational Impact Study', 'Consumer Trust Analysis']}