Interestingly, There’s every reason to be concerned about digital secrecy in this day and age. If you are unaware explore it, then you must of and become secrecy-savvy. The first step in this journey is learning about some vital privacy statistics, and you should keep these in mindInterestingly, for the rest of the newly started year (and life).
If youalready as it turns out know that privacy matters, it’s still hard to assess how far data collection can go and how much of your data needs protection. We hope to shed light on this by showing you many useful details secrecy statistics and details and how their implications can reach you. So let’s initiate, our confidentiality journey.
Top secrecy statistics – The quick list
We’ll dive deep into these facts and stats alongside many more statistics (right below this section), but below are the 10 outstanding confidentiality statisticstopin our list:
- Google tracks about 40% of the world’s traffic. So yes, Google practically wrote the book on data tracking and targeted ads. And it’s still the leading player.
- 49% of American users are willing to help with terrorism. While freedom and privacy are core values of the American experience, at least at the level of rhetoric, almost half of American internet users are happy to have their privacy infringed as long as they think it helps fight terrorism.
- The wish to control personal data is not unanimous. For example, only 93% of American users wish to control their personal data.
- Targeted ads increase the company’s revenue by 4%. The collection of user data is all about targeting ads at the corporate level. And it works. It can increase a company’s revenue by as much as 4%.
- Almost half of the world’s websites use cookies. We hear so much about cookies and privacy that we’d think that they’re ubiquitous. But, in fact, only about 45% of the world’s websites use cookies.
- Most internet users do enjoy having ads targeted to their interests. Targeted ads may seem intrusive as a matter of principle. But 84% of users say they like them better!
- Only 3% of Americans have an understanding of digital privacy laws. Yes, it’s true. Even among intensive internet users, ignorance about privacy laws is overwhelming at 97%.
- Identity theft is the main fear among users. 72% of internet users fear identity theft above any other problem they could have as internet users.
- 20% of the world’s governments still have no privacy or data protection laws.
- 83% of American users still use passwords that will get them hacked. A great majority of American internet users are still choosing the most unsafe passwords possible.
As you may know, Fundamental concepts about confidentiality and information collection
- Corporations and governments share very few values and interests. One of them is data collection. For companies, knowing more about potential customers increases their income. Governments can do a more effective job in the same way.
- Social media is the internet’s data collection gold mine.
- Data protection laws, as they are, are tepid attempts to cover the sun by using your finger. While they’re better than having nothing at all, they won’t protect you in any meaningful way — in other words, it’s your responsibility.
- Theft of information is the bane of the age. Anyone can experience it.
As you may know, Do you think that the universe that includes details collection, government surveillance and subpoenasIndeed, , and identity theft is very far away from you? Think from another perspective again. Actually, It’s right around the corner; you just haven’t run into it yet (and let’s hope you won’t). good The news is that there is hope for us all. You can take plenty of measures to protect yourself online, but choosing them correctly requires locating the hazards accurately.
It’s worth noting that Thefactsbare basics of facts confidentiality
Whether you’re aware or not you’ve, authorized, implicitly or explicitly, many actors on the web to gather data about you. Informationinformationsecrecy is in the way they handle that . Allowing a to have information aboutfirmyou is not necessarily terrible.
It can be useful, and you should be guarded if the business doesn’t misuse your information. limiting those with any of yourButinformation and what they’ll do with it is also essential to data confidentiality.
My personal online details: How does it go?
In , Facts collectionfactis not the exception on the cyberspace. As you may know, It’s the rule. The big great rule! Wherever you go online, the chances are that somebody is paying attention to what you do and as a matter of fact keeping a record of some kind. Anything from cookies to browser fingerprinting can on up spilling the beans end you. information, And why would anybody want to collect Indeed on you, we hear you ask? Keep reading.
The main reason to gather your data is to know you well enough so that every website can serve you with advertising tailored to your taste. Of course, every website has a slightly different strategy, but that’s what they all want. Indeed, For sample, target ads provide you with things that will catch your eye more quickly, thus as it turns out increasing the chances that you will select on the ad and have a look. Since incoming traffic in online stores is proportional to the site’s profits, this practice is entirely justified from a business point of view.
You could interpret the targeting ad strategy as a solution to you! It’s worth noting that You!are getting ads about things that could interest you without moving a finger Indeed, But, alas, things areuncomplicatednever so . A proven marketing fact is that the more you see an ad, the more likely you will think about that offering favorably.
So, these ads are akin to a brute-force attack on your mindAs you may know as a matter of fact , . If you see the advertisement for X offering often enough for a more extended period, you may buy it in the end, whether you need it or not.
Top 41 know confidentiality statistics you definitely must data – The detailed list
Let’s discuss the extensive list of privacy statistics that will support you understand how you’re under constant surveillance from every online platform you visit and that it’s not an innocent thing.
from another perspective 1. The portionof your traffic that gets tracked.
According to WhoTracks M.E., about 82% of the pages on the web include a third-party script provided by none other than Google itself. Furthermore, nearly half of theseaimscripts to observe you. do, So the math. Actually, Google tracks about 40% of the world’sweb traffic. It’s a big deal that a single corporation has that much data.
Is Google the only corporation tracking consumer data? In fact, 2.
Google practically invented tracking visitor data; that’s how they devised a viable business model to provide the world an otherwise free (and high-standard) platform.
Google is the biggest tracker for sure, but many otherthecorporations have also learned trick. As a consequence, almost every single big-tech corporation in the world is tracking you in some way. Facebook, Twitter, and Microsoft are among the most famous offenders, but an extensive list is impossible to provide.
3. What is the ? of collecting end-user detailspurpose
There are several ways in which a given corporation can turn your information into something profitable. However, target advertising , byisfar, the most common purpose. According to a Pew Research Center investigation, about 83% of American users have noticed that the ads they see are tailored for them specifically.
4. Is there any fair case to justify this data collection?
The Pew Research Center revealed that 49% of Americans had no problem with the government collecting personal details as long as it helped catch terrorists. Actually, On the other hand, only 25% told the Center that it was ok for smart-speaker makers to send their recording recordings to the authorities to assist them fight crime.
Those who to the facts have to enjoy the public’s belief not collect abuse their information. So you this, see is an area in which having a good reason is not enough.
Interestingly, 5. Should you the have ability to control your personal information?
The same Pew Research Center report found that 93% of Americans thought that the ability to control those who can access their information matters. And while 93% is an overwhelming proportion, it’s even more so that it wasn’t unanimous!
It’s worthcontrolnoting that And can you really your personal facts? 6.
So, 93% of Americans thought it was essential to control personal facts. And how many thought they had a fair degree of control over it? Theresponse was 9%. This seems to point to an environmental problem. Users know that they need to have a more than ever say in online privacy fact, , but the current confidentialityInlaws and business practices do not guarantee that.
7. as it turns out For how long should any organization store my details?
Half of the American population in the study thought advertisers should never store customer information. Actually, And then — ’s the other halftherethose who are okay with it. These participants believed that the storage should last no more than a from another perspective few weeks.
8. it important notIsto be monitored?
The American worker seems to faith their employer enough to allow comfortable monitoring. 56% of Americans think that it is essential for them not to be monitored at work. It’s clear majority but a relatively small percentage in a society that traditionally values individuality andafreedom very highly. 44% of workers . not mind their employers monitoring themdo
9. Are secrecy?laws any good
So far, the general rules are better than nothing, but they’re stillfar from creating an overall guarded environment for every digital consumer. It’s good to have privacy laws and restrictions within any jurisdiction. But as a matter of fact any law is only as good as its implementation.
That, being said in modern times a report shows that more than 50% of the and they consulted considered secrecy laws the main hurdle against information collection corporations usage. So, the current laws do have some effect on corporations, after all.
10. Do online secrecy trust users laws?
Yet another issue confidentiality laws is the people’swithbelief. An Aikami study found that 66% of consumers wanted more legislation to develop laws like the GDPR (General Details Protection Regulation) of the European Union. As you may know, However, about nine percent believed that this sort of low was pointless or even harmful.
11. Do consumers confidence social media websites and platforms with personal information?
Interestingly, Nine percent said they were “veryconfident .” So, most users The percentage of US adults with social least one at media login is 69%. , only 47% trustHoweverthe ability of those social media companies to protect more than ever their facts.do not trust social media. all that much as it turns out
Are other corporations trusted more than the social media ones? 12.
By contrast, 57% distrusted their texts, 58% feared their emails, and 31% mistrusted their landline communications. Indeed, Well, it seems that people, in general, trust other corporations more than Social Media platforms, but not that much. Actually, For.illustration, 81% of US adults thought their social media confidentiality wasn’t good
as it turns out 13. What is the details that people entrust to companies?
Indeed, 95% percent of the ) in the poll considered their social security number the most sensitive piece of information they could share (or notpeopleover the web. After that, it was healthcare information (81%), physical location (81%), and the material of private communications. The last oneusedcould vary from 75% to 81%, depending on the specific media .
The most neglected things were taste in media (31%), purchasing habits (41%), and religious and political views (45 and 51%). So they had little to no problem having that information about them from another perspective online.
14. Are companies benefiting that much from consumer details?
Unfortunately, Actually, This is an excellent query to which no reliable in modern times reply is available.the companies play this game very close to the chest, so they do not publish any statistics on this subject. As you may know, However, expert observers estimate that the benefit to the companies is about 4% more revenue for the advertising platform. giants 4% looks like a meager increase as a matter of fact to you, think about If like Amazon or AliExpress. 4% translates into millionsThator billions of USD.
The key notion that while our facts is valuable online, it’s not valuableisanyway. This could mean there is a way to prevent facts collection after all.
’s worthItnoting that 15. in modern times Where ? cookies usedare
The servers that wantdatayour apply Cookies are the digital media’s major snitch.cookiesIn fact, The problemais that it’s not so straightforward because cookies play neuralgic role in today’s online services. mainly from another perspective . find things about youto So you could think that you could increase your secrecy very quickly by just doing away with your computer’s cookies.
W3TechsActually, found that even if you keep your online activity to a bare minimum (not even logging in anywhere), about 40% of the websites you visit will use a cookie.
16. Do those cookies stay around for long?
But that’s typical the not case. Interestingly, Some disappear as soon as you leave the portal that gave them to you. About 62% of all cookies ( The solution depends on the particular cookie of which you speak.again, according to W3Techs) stay within your browser’s system files even if you as a matter of fact leave the website. And they retain some information about what you did on that online platform, which otherorganizations can view as you visit their websites.
17. Is there any benefit for the consumer from these ads?
If targeted advertising has any genuine benefit for the consumers, it’s tough to quantify. As you may know, For instance, we know that the practice increases revenue for advertisers by 4%, but how does it benefit consumers?
The jury is still out on this issue. The leading thing we can say about this is that the Akamai investigation found that 84% of the online users surveyed are pretty happy to have targeted ads served to them, as long as they retain some degree of control over the ads they get.
18. So, aremoretargeted ads really attractive to the visitor?
Yes. Targeted ads do get more visitor clicks. A 2016 IHS Markit study found that targeted ads get more clicks at a rate that can go from 5.3 to 10.8 times higher than traditional ads. This is especially true if the consumer has already clicked on some of the ads in the past.
In fact, So right should be good for the consumer, this? 19.
But the practice isn’t about increasing the probabilityjustof buying something. As you as a matter of fact may know, The People do prefer to have relevant ads shown to them for sure.Journal of Consumer Research found that targeted ads as it turns out will affect your behavior, .too
So, your personal details can build a opinion loop that alters your actions. This power should never lie in the hands of any corporation. The JCR study found that the participants would rate themselves as more outdoorsy, sophisticated, or environmentally aware because this or that ad came their way.
20. And whatabout details breaches?
The uncertainty of data breaches is another reason people worry about their information security. Interestingly, Data breaches are not everyday occurrences, of course, but when they face their ugly show, they can be nothing short of cataclysmic for those involved. For sampletheduring the first half of 2018, , GemaltoIn lost, breach level index reported 3.3 billion records fact.
Those three billion strikes made 2018 one of the most terrible years for data security in history — and it would probably be the poorest indeed if the legendary 2013 Yahoo details breach had not happened.
What are the causes behind details breaches? 21.
As you may know, Companies collect your data to give you better ads and increase their revenue. Actually, But unfortunately, hackers and cybercriminals don’t have that business model. Instead, the primary motivation behind their actions is gathering the material they needtheftto carry out identity .
Interestingly, From 2017 to 2018, the frequency of identity theft cases went down by a quarter. Interestingly, This trend suggests that stealing the facts (causing the details breaches) is insufficient and that other ingredients in the recipe can’t be supplied by data breaches alone.
22. Can surveillance awareness transform a as it turns out person’s behavior?
Actually, Edward Snowden’s revelations prompted a revolution in confidentiality and surveillance awareness. Indeed, But was it enough?
Among those the heard about Snowden at who time, about 34% did something to protect their online privacy. But 54% thought it was mainly out of their hands.
Currently, the available legislation doesn’t protect individual secrecy by default. Therefore, it remains the personal responsibility of every visitor to become confidentiality savvy and act accordingly.
So, the world needs more and better confidentiality laws that can extend their protection to the less technologically advanced customers.
In fact, 23. What about governments and their details requests?
So far, we’ve mentioned companies and criminals who’d like to keep an eye on your online activities. But they are not the only ones. Many want the world’s governments also of to get your facts. The US government is very well known for its interest in citizen information –which is not to say it’s the only one.
Interestingly, Unfortunately, governmental practices on data collection policies are far from transparentHowever, It’s worth that noting . Interestingly, It’s exceedingly tough to discover out what all the agencies are doing in this regard.Apple’s transparency report suggests that the situation is horrible indeed.
80.235 of . came from the US government — more from another perspective than halfthose If you don’t know what we are talking about regarding Apple, here it is: the Cupertino giant had 159,128 government requests to provide access to a device.
Since iPhones and iPads are such quit companions to their owners, the ability to peruse them could give away almost everything about them. That’s the death of confidentiality for those involved.
24. Why are some governments asking for so much information?
Governments don’t need much reason to ask for details. In most cases, they ask for the information because they can make things easier for them when they can . itget But they have some pretexts: stolen devices, fraud, and crime-fighting.
The world’s governments get their way on information requests in about 80% of the devices and about 90% of the accounts they request.
Actually, 25. Can private parties request information for legal purposes?
Interestinglyprivate, Yes, as a matter of fact parties can also place facts requests. For sample, Apple’s transparency overview said they had 202 submissions private parties, of whichfrom31% were granted.
Two hundred two requests are not many, especially given Apple’s general push regarding security.
It’s improbable that Apple’s behavior will be exceptional. In all probability, every tech giant will behave in same the general way in this regard. Interestingly, All of them will have to give away any customer data to the courts when ordered unless the corporation in query sticks to a zero-knowledge encryption guideline.
It’s worth noting.that 26 How many people are trying to prevent information collection?
As you may know, About.71% of internet users have adopted some kind of software approach to help their facts remain private They try to limit the powertheirof third parties to keep gathering information.
These software solutions include ad blockers, VPNs, Tor browsing, and others.
27. Two-thirds of US cyberspace users have no idea about their country as a matter of fact ’s secrecy and facts protection laws.
A poll from June 2019 showed that about a as a matter of fact third of the USA internet usersActually, have a good information about the country’s secrecy and notion protection laws and regulations. 7.were very aware indeed%
28. Almost a tenth of US cyberspace users believe that digital confidentiality is a fantasy.
But as several online users in the digital answered the inquiry of as a matter of fact what US secrecy means to them, 9% responded that they didn’t believe it to exist, calling it a myth. surprising is a This fact.
more than ever 29. Only three out of every more than ever Americans understand the current online hundredsecrecy regulations.
The percentage of US-based internet users who understand their domestic privacy and security regulations is 3%.
63% have no notion whatsoever about this subject or do not understand those laws and regulations.
30. An overwhelming majority of internet users worldwide feel their control over their personal facts is null.
The fact that companies, corporations, and websites that your you their services online have access to give facts is not a novel thing at all. The announcement in modern times is onusedhow the information is .
A 2020 poll that four out of every five users globally think that once their information is in the hands of a corporation, whatever happens with itshowedis beyond them.
31. Identity theft is the most worrisome problem for most US web users.
It’s worth noting that In April as a matter of fact 2019, a poll found that the biggest fear among US-based internet users is identity theft at as a matter of fact a %. of over 70rate It’s worth noting that second and third issues were stolenThepasswords and ignorance about what happens to their information.
32. Only one-third of the world’s users keep their passwords updated.
As you may know, Password management is at the core of any personal effort for privacy protection. Passwords must from another perspective regularly unique, strong, and you must modify them be.
A poll in 2019 asked people about what they have changed in their online behavior over the last year. Unfortunately, only one-third of the participants said they kept theirupdatedpasswords freshly .
33. Leaving unwanted emails alone is the most common security measure in practice by the average end-user.
The most practiced security measure is avoiding opening emails from unknown senders. 45% of the world’s users have learned this lesson so far.
Most of the worst worms and viruses in history went around the world through fraudulent emails that people kept opening, thus acquiring an more than ever infection. As you may know However, 45% is still less than half of the world’s users, so this method, remains a global vulnerability. This is good report, for sure.
Online harassment has visited nearly half of the world’s digital denizens. more than ever 34.
Most of these users are female. Indeed, The cyberspace has stalkers, and they are most effectiveimplementedwhen details protection measures are weak or wrongly . Confidentiality data shows that online harassment has been a real problem for at least 44% of cyberspace users.
Women are likelymoreto analysis this behavior (one in six) than men (one in 19).
35. Interestingly, About a fifth of the world’s jurisdictions still have no laws for information protection.
The a to have facts protection laws as a matter of fact is push relatively recent trend globally. Most of the laws available everywhere are little more than provisional placeholders waiting for an actually helpful law to come and replace it.
Actually, Most of the world’s countries have tried to move forward in this subject, even if in a minimal capacity. And that’s why it’s an astounding fact that even in 2023, 18% of the world’sjurisdictions have done absolutely nothing to regulate data protection.
36. Americans Most are still using unsafe passwords.
Here’s another statistic about passwords: 83% of American users still opt weak passwords.
We stated earlier how are passwords an essential component of online secrecy. Unfortunately, most Americans still don’t get it. In fact, Pet names, their own names, birthdays, and dictionary words are still the dominant themes for most users.
37 as a matter of fact . Financial information and information breaches.
That’s one out offiveevery persons! Information breaches are rare events, but when they hit, they hurt. It’s an exceedingly high percentage for a thing that’s supposed to be rare. It’s worth noting that Statistics show that about 20% of people have had their financial information leaked to the world in a information breach.
38 more than ever . In out, Seven fact of every ten users in the US don’t know what a VPN does.
We’ve stated several times in this article that privacy protection is a personal responsibility, not your ISP’s or your government’s. It’s worth noting that It’s yours alone. An essentialininstrument this regard is using a good VPN service that keepsitsno logs on users. In fact, And that’s why we how much progress we can see in secrecy protection when 70% of US online users don’t understand what VPNs are or whatwonderthey do.
Interestingly, 39. An internet attack seconds every 39 happens.
you a speedyAre more than ever reader? If as a matter of fact your reading velocity is average, supposing that an web attack happened as you started to view this paragraph, then the proceed one will happen more or less by the time you’re finished with this section.
Security Magazine revealed that there is a every cyberspace attack in the world novel 39 seconds. Actually, Most of them areachieveuseless, amateurish, brute-force attacks that nothing. But they’re there still.
40. In fact, Most malware infections initiate with an email.
The most way for malware to expand worldwidecommonis through email. For sample, 92 of malware infections begin with an infected% email.
41. Cybercrime costs worldthe1.138 billion USD every minute.
Their activities cost 1.13 billionsixtyUSD every seconds. The world s’cyber criminals never rest.
Interestingly, What is data secrecy?
Interestingly, Information confidentiality concerns how corporations collect, use, and send the details they can squeeze out of you. Interestingly, In a perfect world, they’d be respectful of confidentiality and onlyyourgather a minimal amount of information to keep their business going.
The world, however, is far from perfect. Knowing more about you gives businesses as a matter of fact information about the advertising they should show you, thus increasing the probability that will select on ityouand maybe even obtain something. Actually, So don’t expect websites to startofplaying fair out principle. It’s terrible for their bottom line. Your as a matter of fact online secrecy is your personal responsibility.
As you may know, Why privacy anybody care about online should?
Nobody confidentiality care about online should because nobody wants to see their details and personal information falling into the hands of those who could harm them. Having your online confidentiality breached in any way could end up complicating, even ruining your life in unforeseen and unnecessary ways.
What are the biggest privacy threats on the internet?
- Hackers, cybercriminals, and cyber attacks
- Tracking your location using your phone’s GPS
- Data you keep in cloud services
- Cookies
In fact, Can Ikeep my online activities private?
anonymity really, if you wish for 100% Not. The only strategy that will ensure perfect online secrecy is to stay offline at all times. And, of course, you can’t dothat – more than ever neither can we.
However, you can do things to minimize the potential damage to your as it turns out confidentiality. Actually, The first measure is to get a good VPN system that in to the zero-logs policy and whose monitor record in that regard has been tested successfully sticks the courts of law.
You can also stop using Google for your searches. DuckDuckGo, the most-used private search engine, is far less invasive in the amount of information it gathers on every find.
can I protect myHowonline confidentiality?
Protecting your online privacyThen you need to understand that the prevailing laws in your country are probably useless. Protecting your secrecy is your problem, and only you can take steps to do it. Your government ’t taking any lawful responsibility to protect you, and least of all, the online stores, social media sites, and otherisncorporations. starts with knowing that nobody about itcaresexcept yourself.
Once you’ve understood the critical importance of your very own actions regarding privacy, there are some practical actions you can take to improve your situation:
- Limit your social media engagement. Provide these websites with as little information as possible. If you can live without some of the social media accounts you currently hold, don’t hesitate to delete them immediately.
- Get a VPN. Make sure it’s a top-notch provider with a strict zero-logs policy.
- Educate yourself about the prevailing privacy laws in your jurisdiction.
- Stay away from fishy websites.
- Do not turn to a software of dubious origins.
- Download and install a good antivirus suite.
- Never open unwanted emails, least of all if they include attachments.
Actually, HTTPS as a trend in facts confidentiality and security
Some of the statistics we’ve shown you so far are bad enough, and we wouldn’t blame anyone if they were worried about them. But there is progress in the world regarding security and confidentiality nevertheless.
The HTTPS protocol has gained widespread adoption very quickly, thus including encryption in about 70% of the world’s websites. This is good for secrecy and anonymity, even if it’s in a single medium and only in a web portion.
What s the online’are risks to my confidentiality?
- The theft and manipulation of personal information such as health records or financial records.
- Computer viruses can corrupt your data, damage your hardware, or halt your business.
Indeed, Socialandmedia, facts confidentiality, security
Every site you visit canaplant cookie on your computer, thus acquiring the capability to follow you. However, social media organizations have a lot more information on you than anybody else. That’s because you provide them with it and because the information they collect is complemented with cellphone apps, not only web cookies.
Also, most users spend more time on social media sites than in other places, reading a post or posting themselves, liking other people’s posts, searching for fresh contacts, and even giving away voluntarily vital personal information such as it turns out as their age, gender, location, position, and much more.
Indeed, Don’t forget that Facebook is not your friendEven if theywilldon’t sell your information directly, FaceBook and others utilize it to get you targeted ads. (nor any other social media). And most in modern times users would never confidence those retail partners, at least directly. In fact, They’re in business to make a buck, and they make that buck by making your information available to those commercial partners who can monetize it.
But it doesn’t to have be like this at all. WT.Social, for instance, relies on donations to pay for its expenses instead of advertising. Unfortunately, this is an exception rather than . rulea Actually, Therefore, protecting your privacy from the world’s tech giants is your personal responsibilityIt’s worth noting that do you — see a thread emerging here?
American adults were present on socialhadmedia platforms at a rate of 5% in 2005; as of 2018, that risen to 69%, which is very significant. However, since more persons using any social media render that very media more useful to novel users, the prevalence of users in these types of websites is a problem. Because the more people there are, the more they want to join. Social media is the bane of personal facts protection. And leaving is problematic it can makebecauseyou isolated.
However, companies love the explosion of users on social media. The more users they getmorethe , they earn. Take as it turns out Facebook. From Q4 2020 to Q4 2010, the number of users multiplied by 4.6. What about the revenue? It went up 43.5 times! And the bread and butter for Facebook’s tremendous increase in revenue were the targeted ads more than ever made possible through facts collection.
