Montabaur, 25.05.2021 – Most Internet users want stricter rules and laws on the subject of data protection – this is the result of a survey by the European netID Foundation. In addition, most would like to be better informed about the use of their data. Very few users believe that they have full control over their data at all times.
Data leakage at Facebook, questionable terms and conditions at WhatsApp or Apple’s app tracking transparency – the topic of data protection is omnipresent and plays a central role for users. A representative survey conducted by the European netID Foundation with 1035 people shows: For almost 80 percent of users, protecting their personal data online is enormously important. Whether they voluntarily pass on their data depends primarily on the provider and its trustworthiness. For example, 41 percent only give their consent if the offer, along with the cookie banner and the stated purposes, appear to be reputable. Just under a third of users also make a conscious decision about the purposes for which they release their personal data.
Users want clarification and legal regulations
Users in Germany feel let down by business and politics when it comes to data protection. Almost two-thirds of those surveyed do not believe they have full control over their data. This complex issue is a mystery to many, and they would like to see concrete intervention by the state. For example, around 80 percent of respondents say that Internet users should be better informed about how their data is used. Two-thirds also believe that stricter laws are needed in Germany to regulate the use of personal data.
Login services could be the solution
The majority of Internet users see login services as a possible solution to the lack of transparency in data management. Seventy-two percent of respondents would prefer to manage their data in a central location and decide individually which provider they want to share it with and for what purposes. When registering for a new online service, more than half would prefer to use an existing central login instead of creating a new account. The focus for users is on the security of their own data (87 percent), ease of use (85 percent) and sovereignty over their data (82 percent).
Sven Bornemann, CEO of the European netID Foundation, says in summary: “The results of our survey are a clear appeal to politicians and businesses: take users by the hand and explain to them how their data is used online. This requires regulations and laws that enable transparent and user-friendly data management. For advertisers and publishers, this means above all: data protection-compliant alternatives and data sovereignty for the user – away from the major platforms.”
The representative survey was conducted by DATA Alliance on behalf of the European netID Foundation from March 29 to April 01, 2021. A total of 1035 people between the ages of 20 and 49 were surveyed.
About the European netID Foundation
The European netID Foundation was established in March 2018 by Mediengruppe RTL Deutschland, ProSiebenSat.1 and United Internet with its brands WEB.DE and GMX. With an independent market solution, the foundation supports Internet offerings from all industry sectors with the implementation of the new European data protection law and for this purpose has created the open login standard netID. The initiators of the foundation together reach around 50 million unique users every month and together have more than 38 million active accounts. The foundation is explicitly open to additional partners and initiatives. Further information is available at www.enid.eu.
Press contact at the European netID Foundation:
Alexandra Roszkowski, +49 89 46 133 46-21, presse@enid.eu
