Introducing the app that makes shopping online safer

E-commerce and shopping online have skyrocketed during the COVID19 pandemic, but how safe are the websites you’re purchasing from? The Optus-Macquarie University Cyber Security Hub has the answer!

A new app developed in collaboration with the Macquarie Business School, gives a trustworthiness score to help consumers make an informed decision before making a purchase. With the added benefits of reducing cyber fraud and improving data transparency, the Brand Trustworthiness Index (BT Index) prototype uses big data to synthesis consumer reviews into usable information.

The team, led by Dr Stephanie Huang, Senior Lecturer in Marketing and Associate Dean (Curriculum and Learning) at Macquarie Business School, wants to help consumers get access to the information they need.

“Consumers are shopping online more than ever. While the choices are greater, we are not necessarily making better decisions because we simply don’t have enough information,” said Dr Huang

Many consumers end up making poor choices due the lack of available consumer review data.

“In Australia, more than $4 million was lost to online shopping scams in 2019 by choosing the wrong product, the wrong brand or dodgy outlets.”

The next phase of the project is how BT Index makes its way into shopping websites, to make the overall online shopping experience safer and more productive for both consumers and brands.