Today, the German Society for Consumer Research (GfK) published its results of a recent international consumer survey on sharing personal data.
For this representative online survey, more than 22,000 internet users in 17 countries took part in the online survey in the summer of 2016 – including 1,500 respondents from Germany. The internet users were asked about their level of agreement with the following statement: "I am willing to share my personal data (health-related data, financial data, electricity consumption, etc.) in exchange for advantages such as lower costs or personalized service."
These are the central results:
- 40 percent of German online respondents would not share personal data in exchange for benefits or bonuses. Only 12 percent would be willing to do so.
- Especially older respondents in Germany are reluctant to share their personal data. 44 percent of the 50 to 59 year olds and more than half of respondents aged 60 and above said they would not want to reveal this information.
- In contrast, for young German online users the disagreement is lower. Only 28 percent of the 15 to 19 year olds and 32 per cent of the 20 to 29 year olds said they would not reveal personal data in exchange for reduced prices or other advantages.
- On an international level, Chinese online users are most likely to disclose personal data in return for cost advantages. Only eight percent would refuse to do so.
Source: GfK
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