67% of Latvians manage access to personal data

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The share of people who managed access to any personal data over the internet in 2021 varied across the EU Member States, according to figures published by Eurostat January 27. International Data Protection Day is marked on January 28.

The highest shares were observed in the Netherlands and Finland (both 91%), followed by Portugal (89%).

In contrast, the lowest shares were recorded in Romania (56%), Poland (59%) and Slovenia (61%).

Latvia sat toward the lower end of the middle on 67%, ahead of Lithuania (63%) but behind Estonia (70%).

Slightly less than three quarters (73%) of EU citizens who used the internet for private purposes within the last 3 months prior to the survey managed access to their personal data online.

Managng access to personal data online, 2021
Managng access to personal data online, 2021

More than half (53%) of these internet users refused to allow the use of personal data for advertising, and just under half (48%) restricted or refused access to their geographical location. In addition, 40% limited access to their profile or content on social networking sites or shared online storage, while 39% read privacy policy statements before providing personal data. Only 36% checked that the website where they provided their personal data was secure.

According to a separate survey conducted in November and December 2020 by Latvia's State Data Inspectorate (DVI), although 46% of people in Latvia believe that they have great control over their data, around one in ten people is not informed about the protection of their personal data.

Both last year and in 2020, the State Data Inspectorate received complaints from almost 1,000 residents about possible unlawful processing of personal data. 

"The General Data Protection Regulation provides that everyone can control the processing of their data and be informed about who processes it and for what purpose. Increasing awareness of your personal data
protection, the sense of control over one's own person also increases. It is important to understand that it is very much is in our own hands," said Jekaterina Macuka, director of the State Data Inspectorate.

To increase awareness of personal data protection, the State Data Inspectorate is launching an information campaign called 'Your Data - Your Safety'. More information is available at the agency's website.

 

 

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