Cybercrime: people with disabilities are more vulnerable online
The rise in cyberattacks is pushing everyone in France to be increasingly vigilant online: complex passwords, watermarks to protect ID documents shared over the internet, careful consideration of what personal information to post on social media… These are all habits that require practice and constant attention. Not necessarily easy for some people with disabilities, who are all the more vulnerable to cybercrime.
By Maëlys T.
January 17, 2025
It is common to see the wheelchair pictogram on public transport, in restrooms, or in parking spaces. The issue of disability is still too often reduced to specific accommodations for people with reduced mobility.
According to the DRESS (Directorate for Research, Studies, Evaluation and Statistics), a person with a disability has a “severe limitation in a physical, sensory, or cognitive function” and/or reports “a major restriction for more than six months, for health reasons, in activities people normally do.”
This term covers different types of disorders: paraplegia, dyslexia, autism spectrum disorder, deafness, dysphasia… In France, between 2.6 and 7.6 million people over the age of 15 are living with a disability. Talking about disability means referring to extremely diverse conditions occurring at different moments in life. The following observations are therefore general, and some people with disabilities may not see themselves reflected in them.
Digital technology, beneficial for people with disabilities? In reality, it’s more complicated than that...
In 2023, the Red Cross and Emmaüs Connect collaborated with the ANCT (National Agency for Territorial Cohesion) to publish a report on the concerns of people attending specialized institutions and their caregivers regarding digital technology.
Digital tools offer these individuals opportunities to socialize and gain financial independence as well as autonomy for their day-to-day administrative tasks. However, several factors can hinder these possibilities:
Computer equipment and adequate Internet access
Although the prices of equipment and Internet subscriptions are more reasonable than they were 20 years ago, spending on these tools remains unaffordable for many families. This cost adds to daily healthcare expenses covered by relatives or by the person concerned. Depending on available income, several years of savings may still be required to acquire at least one electronic device and an Internet subscription.
Digital and related skills
Using a keyboard or mouse, as well as navigating the Web, requires certain know-how, time, and additional skills such as reading. Without proper support, people with disabilities can become disconnected from the school system and from structures where they could be taught digital literacy. This lengthens the time needed to complete administrative procedures and to obtain financial aid. As for caregivers, they are not necessarily trained in digital mediation.
Social codes associated with the online world
Sharing information requires awareness of which topics can or cannot be disclosed. One must be able to analyze exchanges, detect sarcasm, and identify risks. This can be especially complex for people with intellectual disabilities or those who are very isolated. As a result, the risk of falling victim to cyberbullying is higher compared to a non-disabled person.
Digital technology, which holds strong promises of empowerment and inclusion for those who know how to use it and have access to it, has at the same time proven to generate new vulnerabilities for those who are excluded from it.
Source: National Agency for Territorial Cohesion, 2024
It is also important to consider that people with disabilities face a higher risk of social death: some may go a week or more without speaking to anyone. Wanting to feel included, they may try at all costs to please those they interact with. The severe isolation of these individuals can therefore become an opportunity for scammers or hackers...
Multiplying online risks for people with disabilities
- Online scams: it is common to receive SMS messages claiming a (non-ordered) package has arrived, or emails linking to fake websites — phishing is extremely widespread. Spotting it is not always easy...
- Extortion and blackmail: The ability to think ahead and anticipate risks can be one of the challenges faced by people with intellectual disabilities. Hackers may get hold of a photo or video that puts the person at risk and then pressure them to hand over money.
- Abuse of trust: social networks and dating apps are fertile ground for romance scams. Feeling that someone genuinely cares for them, isolated individuals may send money to scammers who then abandon them.
- Compulsive purchases: Even for a non-disabled French person, resisting online shopping can be difficult, especially given daily prompts to consume. Supporting people with cognitive disabilities to learn how to manage their money is a real challenge for healthcare professionals. For example, by making in-app purchases without really understanding their implications, these individuals may end up in financial difficulty.
- Additional concern: it may happen that a person with a disability repeatedly falls into the same digital traps.
And what if the next vulnerable person is you?
With an ageing population, more and more people in France will experience a disability in the coming years. Some capacities may diminish permanently or temporarily. With the widespread use of digital services, training citizens and caregivers in this field could make a major difference and protect many people from cybercrime.
References:
- Youth and Media: Digital skills in institutions for specialised and social education – PDF – 2.6Mb
- [ANCT.gouv: Digital inclusion of people with disabilities] (https://lesbases.anct.gouv.fr/ressources/enquete-l-inclusion-numerique-des-personnes-en-situation-de-handicap-intellectuel-etou-cognitif)
[Cover photo: Getty Images]