Data Misuse: Identity Protection and Freedom of Expression in the Digital Age

Published on: August 22, 2018 / Update from: September 9, 2018 - Author: Konrad Wolfenstein

+++ Identity protection against data misuse in the digital age +++ Where people prefer not to post their opinions online +++

Identity protection in the digital age

The Internet has now conquered almost all areas of our lives. This has many advantages, but also involves risks. “A major disadvantage is the increasing threat to personal data and thus to one's own identity, the misuse of which can increase.” says Manfred Güllner, founder and managing director of the opinion research institute forsa, which deals with the topic of “identity protection in the digital age” on behalf of Schufa has.

You can find more infographics at Statista

This shows that the majority of people in Germany believe that they are well informed about the dangers of misusing personal data on the Internet. Nevertheless, as the graphic from Statista shows, at least twelve percent of those surveyed have already become victims of identity abuse. Those affected become aware of the abuse through, among other things, incomprehensible invoices, account transactions or reminders.

Most of the time, such cases end lightly - only one in ten victims suffers financial damage. To protect themselves from the misuse of their personal data, the study participants pay attention to the sender of emails and, if necessary, do not open them. What is worrying is that a third do not pay attention to keeping security software up to date. Only a little more than half of those surveyed regularly delete browser history or cookies on their devices.

Where people prefer not to post their opinions online

You can find more infographics at Statista

Social media like Facebook and Twitter have made it easy to share your opinions publicly with a relatively large audience. However, many users still keep their opinions hidden. In many countries they do this because they fear being targeted by government bodies and authorities because of their opinions.

According to this year's Reuters Digital News Report , around 65 percent of respondents in Turkey said they thought carefully before posting their opinion publicly online. This is also because Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is cracking down on all critical expressions of opinion after a foiled coup attempt - especially against journalists, but also against ordinary citizens.

But even in countries where freedom of expression is one of the fundamental rights guaranteed by law, some users approach it rather cautiously. Just like in the USA, where at least 23 percent still exercise restraint.