A person is sitting with her laptop on a table and a phone in her hand. The phone shows a signed of a closed lock

In 2023, only 36% of EU internet users read privacy policy statements before providing personal data.

More than half (54%) of the internet users refused to allow the use of personal data for advertising, and just over half (51%) restricted or refused access to their geographical location. In addition, 41% limited access to their profile or content on social networking sites or shared online storage.

When it came to the protection of the personal data they shared, only 35% checked that the website where they provided their personal data was secure.

When considering all these methods of controlling the use of personal data, nearly three quarters (73%) of EU internet users managed the access to their personal data online in some way in 2023.

How did EU people manage access to their personal data in 2023, % of people who used internet in the 3 months prior to the survey. Chart. See link to full dataset below.

Source dataset: isoc_cisci_prv20

The share of internet users who managed access to their personal data in 2023 varied across the EU countries. The highest shares were observed in Finland and the Netherlands (both 93%), followed by Czechia (89%).

In contrast, the lowest shares were recorded in Romania (52%), Latvia (55%) and Slovenia (57%). 

Internet users who managed access to their personal data, % of people who used internet in the 3 months prior to the survey, 2023. Chart. See link to full dataset below.

Source dataset: isoc_cisci_prv20

This news item marks the Data Protection Day celebrated on 28 January.

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Methodological notes 

The data in this article are based on the annual survey on use of ICT in households and by individuals; the results above refer to internet users, i.e. individuals who have used the internet in the three months prior to the survey and the data reflects their experiences during the last 3 months prior to the survey. 

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