Open Banking is a financial technology initiative that allows third-party providers to access financial information and services through APIs (application programming interfaces) provided by banks and other institutions. While Open Banking offers many benefits, including increased competition and innovation in the financial industry, it is understandable that you may be concerned about the safety of your data. A common question asked is “Will my data be safe with Open Banking?”.
Providing Consent
In general, Open Banking is designed to be secure and there are several measures in place to protect your data. For example, any third-party provider that wants to access your financial information through Open Banking must be authorised by the relevant regulatory authority, such as the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK. These providers are also required to adhere to strict security standards and data protection laws, such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in the EU.
Before any provider can access data, they must seek consent from customers and make it easy for them to review the data that is shared, confirm that they are happy for it to be used and be able to cancel at any time, ensuring they remain in control of their data.
Encrypted Data
In addition, Open Banking uses advanced encryption and authentication technologies to protect your data. This means that any data that is transmitted between your bank and a third-party provider is encrypted and can only be accessed by authorised parties. Open Banking also uses strong authentication methods, such as two-factor authentication, to ensure that only authorised individuals can access your data.
Third-Party Provider Requirements
Open Banking enables Third Party Providers (TPPs) to provide financial services to customers that are innovative and help them manage their money. In order to do this effectively, they require customer data and in turn, customers need to know how their data is being used which is why there are several principles that Open Banking adheres to, to keep client data safe.
According to openbanking.org.uk, there are 5 Open Banking customer experience principles that TPPs have to follow. These are:
- Trust
- Control
- Security
- Speed
- Transparency
They, therefore, have to be clear with customers on what data their customer is sharing, why the data is necessary and how the customer will benefit from this information being shared.
As with any technology, there is always a risk of data breaches and cyber-attacks, however, it is important to take steps to protect your personal information, such as using strong and unique passwords, monitoring your accounts regularly and being cautious about sharing your data with third-party providers that you do not necessarily trust. You should also make sure that you are aware of your rights and options if your data is ever compromised or misused.
Overall, while there is no 100% guarantee that breaches of data are impossible, the initiative of Open Banking is designed to be secure and protect your privacy. For the widespread use of Open Banking to continue, customers need to be confident that their data is kept safe and Third Party Providers are aware that this is key if they want customers to continue to use their services. Whilst there are principles and strict guidelines in place, consumers must remain vigilant whenever sharing data, regardless of how safe it is, and it is important to stay informed about the latest security measures and take steps to protect your personal information.
