A growing number of internet users wish to
delete their personal data online, according to a recent survey covering 2024. Two years after a similar survey was conducted in 2022,
the latest findings reveal a rise in people wanting to delete their personal
data from the internet. The survey, by NordVPN and Incogni, mentioned that this trend
is due to fears of hacking and frustrations with data exploitation.

Privacy or Exposure?

Nearly a third of respondents would opt to delete
their digital presence. This trend is especially pronounced in North America,
with 44% of Americans and 41% of Canadians saying they’d like to erase their
online presence.

The primary concern is financial data security. Across
the board, many feel that the internet has become a risky place for personal
information, with 45% of participants citing the fear of hacking as a top
reason to consider deleting their online selves.

Beyond financial data, respondents are increasingly
wary of how companies use their personal details. In countries like Spain, this
feeling of exploitation was a dominant concern, while Germans expressed a
unique perspective: they simply see no need for their names to be online at
all.

Around 64% of respondents want their financial
information hidden, while 42% are concerned about their personal emails and
texts. In Germany, intimate life details and criminal records are also high on
the privacy priority list.

Interestingly, despite these concerns, only 41% would
pay for online anonymity. Countries like France and Italy, where privacy fears
are significant, show that most people are not ready to spend money to shield
their browsing habits.

The desire to delete oneself from the internet seems
to be a generational issue. Millennials and Gen Z show the strongest
inclination to vanish from the web, while Baby Boomers are far less likely to
feel the need to disappear.

However, the divide isn’t consistent everywhere. In
Spain and France, internet users across all age groups show similar levels of
concern, reflecting a broader societal shift toward greater digital privacy
awareness.

Data Brokers Companies

A new aspect of the 2024 survey focused on awareness
of data brokers companies that collect and sell personal data. Alarmingly, only
18% of respondents know what a data broker is.

Awareness is lowest in France and Spain, where just
13% are familiar with these companies. In contrast, Italy shows the highest
awareness, with 25% knowing about data brokers’ activities.

Since 2022, the desire to erase digital footprints has
grown in several regions. In Canada and Germany, concern over personal data has
intensified, with more people wanting to delete their information from the web.

In the UK, respondents are increasingly worried about
their financial details falling into the wrong hands, while in Spain, users
feel more exploited than ever by data-harvesting companies.