A new survey is sharing the growing rise in fears that users have about online privacy. Most people wanted to delete themselves from the internet in 2024 which sparks a major concern for the tech sector.
The study by Incogni and NordVPN raised the curtain on how users value privacy, the kinds of information they did not wish others to know about, and what they felt comfortable with. As per the results, most people called out financial data, medical records, and personal texts with emails as the leading source of private information. This is not something they want to be exposed online. Similar to the study conducted in 2022, users from the US, Canada, the UK, Spain, Italy, France, and Germany were assessed through a survey.
German participants also spoke about keeping intimate data linked to personal lives and criminal records a secret amongst the rest enlisted above. They wanted to protect that and not have it out in the open for everyone to see. When it came down to prying into other people’s lives, most surveyed didn’t wish to know anything. They knew it was an invasion of privacy.
As you can tell, privacy was a major focus for many. 59% valued it, especially those in the EU regions like Italy and France who felt browsing online anonymously is not something they would pay for. This might be related to the fact that most didn’t go through an episode of data theft.
65% of those based in Italy feel personal information was never leaked or stolen and if it was, they have no idea about it.
When we see the replies taken based on generation, most millennials and Gen Z were more inclined to erase their online details. On the other end of the spectrum, it’s the Baby Boomers who were less likely to express a desire to delete themselves online. Such a huge generational divide has to do with most surveyed nations. This is where most people in different age groups had no major discrepancies in opinions on the matter.
The study also shed light on the growing rise of data brokers and whether the respondents were aware of the different companies. Only 18% spoke about knowing what data brokers are and France and Spain shared the lowest awareness while Italy had the highest.
Most people felt that such individuals are involved in collecting user data online including contact details and personal information. They also shared how data brokers gathered all aspects of personal and professional lives including digital information. This was a huge level of concern related to the depth of collecting online data.
The authors of the study also shared what the differences were between the study seen now and that seen two years ago in 2022. This is where the authors noted a major shift in every survey group. Most people wanted to get rid of any online data of themselves from the web including those in Canada, Germany, and beyond. They feared losing personal information including sensitive data like bank details.
Those in the UK had more concerns than the rest in terms of financial statements being exposed and getting targeted by third parties having malicious intentions. Most people felt so exploited by these firms collecting personal data. There were huge issues related to anonymity and some Italians want to pay extra to browse incognito as long as their online tracking behavior is undercover.
The study concluded with a guide for users on how to better their privacy online. The common techniques highlighted included using a VPN, sharing less personal details, keeping all accounts secure and protected at all times, and opting out of data brokerage companies whose main goal right now is to collect user data.
Read next: Your Data Privacy Is at Risk: 50+ Major Tech Platforms Exposed for Gaps in Terms of Service!
The study by Incogni and NordVPN raised the curtain on how users value privacy, the kinds of information they did not wish others to know about, and what they felt comfortable with. As per the results, most people called out financial data, medical records, and personal texts with emails as the leading source of private information. This is not something they want to be exposed online. Similar to the study conducted in 2022, users from the US, Canada, the UK, Spain, Italy, France, and Germany were assessed through a survey.
German participants also spoke about keeping intimate data linked to personal lives and criminal records a secret amongst the rest enlisted above. They wanted to protect that and not have it out in the open for everyone to see. When it came down to prying into other people’s lives, most surveyed didn’t wish to know anything. They knew it was an invasion of privacy.
As you can tell, privacy was a major focus for many. 59% valued it, especially those in the EU regions like Italy and France who felt browsing online anonymously is not something they would pay for. This might be related to the fact that most didn’t go through an episode of data theft.
65% of those based in Italy feel personal information was never leaked or stolen and if it was, they have no idea about it.
When we see the replies taken based on generation, most millennials and Gen Z were more inclined to erase their online details. On the other end of the spectrum, it’s the Baby Boomers who were less likely to express a desire to delete themselves online. Such a huge generational divide has to do with most surveyed nations. This is where most people in different age groups had no major discrepancies in opinions on the matter.
The study also shed light on the growing rise of data brokers and whether the respondents were aware of the different companies. Only 18% spoke about knowing what data brokers are and France and Spain shared the lowest awareness while Italy had the highest.
Most people felt that such individuals are involved in collecting user data online including contact details and personal information. They also shared how data brokers gathered all aspects of personal and professional lives including digital information. This was a huge level of concern related to the depth of collecting online data.
The authors of the study also shared what the differences were between the study seen now and that seen two years ago in 2022. This is where the authors noted a major shift in every survey group. Most people wanted to get rid of any online data of themselves from the web including those in Canada, Germany, and beyond. They feared losing personal information including sensitive data like bank details.
Those in the UK had more concerns than the rest in terms of financial statements being exposed and getting targeted by third parties having malicious intentions. Most people felt so exploited by these firms collecting personal data. There were huge issues related to anonymity and some Italians want to pay extra to browse incognito as long as their online tracking behavior is undercover.
The study concluded with a guide for users on how to better their privacy online. The common techniques highlighted included using a VPN, sharing less personal details, keeping all accounts secure and protected at all times, and opting out of data brokerage companies whose main goal right now is to collect user data.
Read next: Your Data Privacy Is at Risk: 50+ Major Tech Platforms Exposed for Gaps in Terms of Service!
