In recent years, the Dutch have increasingly taken measures to protect personal information on the Internet. In particular, we increasingly restrict access to profile information and social media posts.
The Netherlands leads the way in Europe in terms of protecting personal information online. This is demonstrated by research conducted by the statistical agency CBS on the use of ICTs by the Dutch population. In 2021, 82 percent of the population said they were taking action to protect their data online. After two years, this percentage increased to 89%.
In these two years, according to CBS, the Dutch have become more cautious about posting personal information online. About 78 percent of people over the age of 12 have limited or restricted access to location data. In 2021, this percentage was still 70 percent.
In addition, more than 70 percent restrict access to social media profile data. This was still 55 percent in 2021.
The Netherlands is the leader in Europe
Older people are less active in protecting online data than younger people. Three-quarters of people over 65 do this, compared to 93% among people aged 12 to 65.
The research is being conducted across Europe. This shows that the Netherlands is a leader when it comes to online data protection. A total of 92 percent of Dutch people under the age of 75 participate in this.
The European average is much lower, at 62 percent. After the Netherlands, come Finland (91%), Ireland (82%), the Czech Republic (82%), and Denmark (81%). At the bottom of the list is Romania. There, 46% of the population is concerned about protecting data online.
