Declining Trust in the Internet: A Global Perspective
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Chapter 1: Global Trust in the Internet
Recent findings indicate a notable decline in internet users' trust since 2019. An international survey has highlighted users' desires for more control over their personal data collection, usage, and sales.
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Section 1.1: Survey Findings
An international Ipsos survey, conducted across 20 countries and published by The NEW INSTITUTE in Hamburg, reveals that only 63% of internet users trust the online space—a drop of 11 percentage points from a similar survey conducted four years prior. Remarkably, Japan is the only country that saw a 7% increase in trust levels. In contrast, countries like India, Kenya, and Brazil experienced significant declines, with trust dropping by as much as 26% in Poland.
Section 1.2: Privacy Concerns
Privacy emerged as the primary concern among respondents, with 79% expressing unease about their online privacy. Only half of the participants felt that internet security measures were sufficient. A substantial number of individuals believe that adequate governance of the internet does not exist, as over half (57%) felt it is well-regulated; however, this belief is less than half in countries like the UK and the US.
Chapter 2: The Need for Change
In Germany, internet trust stands at 61%, which is slightly below the global average but higher than in Canada and the United States. Dr. Christian Kastrop from the NEW INSTITUTE emphasized the urgent need for robust policies that protect and empower users.
The first video, "Does the Internet Make You Meaner?" discusses the implications of online behavior and trust issues, further elaborating on the survey's findings.
With rising privacy concerns and diminishing trust, internet users are advocating for new regulations to enhance online privacy. They seek greater control over their personal data, with strategies for improvement including enhanced user privacy protection (65%) and clearer regulations on data collection (62%).
The second video, "Social Media Dangers Documentary — Childhood 2.0," delves into the risks posed by social media, particularly to young users, aligning with the concerns raised in the survey.
Dr. Paul Twomey from the NEW INSTITUTE noted that there is a growing global call for individuals to safeguard their personal data—not just for privacy, but to enhance personal benefits and societal impacts.
Dr. Fen Hampson, a Visiting Scholar at the NEW INSTITUTE, highlighted the widespread loss of user confidence in the internet, attributing it to privacy and data protection worries. The survey underscores a strong demand for both legal and technical measures to empower users to control their data, signaling a crucial need to rebuild trust in the online realm.
The Ipsos survey, conducted between November 10 and November 24, 2021, included 14,519 internet users from various economies. The sample was designed to accurately reflect the demographic characteristics of each country surveyed, ensuring reliable insights into users' attitudes toward the internet.