More people actively protecting their personal data online in 2023

Dutch people were more cautious about posting personal information online than two years earlier. Of those aged 12 years and over, 78 percent said they restricted or denied access to location data (70 percent in 2021), and 70 percent said they restricted access to their social media profile (up from 55 percent in 2021). Over 60 percent did not allow their personal data to be used for commercial purposes, up from 68 percent in 2021.

Older people the least likely to protect their personal information online

Among those aged over 65, 74 percent actively protect their personal information online; among those aged between 12 and 64 years, 93 percent do this. People aged over 75 are the least likely to take steps to protect their personal information online, at only 60 percent.

More people concerned about online activity being tracked

A total of 60 percent of internet users aged 12 years and over said they were somewhat concerned about their online activities being tracked by others, up from 55 percent in 2021. In 2021, 30 percent of respondents were not at all concerned about their online activities being tracked, but two years later this group had dwindled to 25 percent. However, not all internet users change their computer, tablet or phone settings to prevent or restrict cookies. In both 2021 and 2023, over half of internet users aged 12 years and above did this. Neither do more people say they use software to prevent or limit the tracking of their online activities: the number of those who do so was 32 percent in both years.

People in the Netherlands take more precautions online than any other EU country

Of all EU countries, the Netherlands had the highest percentage of adults aged 16 to 74 who took steps to protect their personal information online (92 percent) in 2023. The EU average was 67 percent. A total of 81 percent in the Netherlands said they had restricted or denied access to online location data, which was also the highest in the European Union by far. Dutch people are also more likely than people in any other European country to check the security of a website before sharing any personal details.