Over 1,500 Canadians surveyed on data sharing concerns and privacy, highlighting a widespread call for greater control
As digital advancements accelerate, the Digital Governance Council (DGC), in collaboration with Hill & Knowlton, conducted a survey in January to understand Canadian perspectives on data sharing and privacy.
Surveying 1,500 participants, the results provide insight into the complex relationship between individuals, organizations, and the digital realm.
The survey indicates that 53 percent of Canadians believe they are well-informed about protecting their personal data, with knowledge reportedly increasing across generations.
A substantial 71 percent are highly concerned about the security of their personal data, with boomers expressing the most concern at 80 percent, compared to only 53 percent of Gen Z.
A notable sense of powerlessness was evident among Canadians regarding the control they have over how organizations use their data. Between one-third and 40 percent of respondents felt they had “no control whatsoever” over data sharing and privacy.
In terms of willingness to share data, emergencies saw the highest willingness at 75 percent, followed by healthcare scenarios at 63 percent. Conversely, sharing data related to purchases was least favorable, with only 35 percent willing to share.
Canadians are skeptical about who benefits from data sharing, with 73 percent believing that businesses gain the most, far outweighing governments at 23 percent and citizens themselves at just 4 percent.
Trust levels vary significantly across different types of organizations; social media companies, online retailers, tech companies, and telecom companies are trusted the least.
In contrast, banks scored the highest trust level at 51 percent for personal data protection, followed by government entities at 38 percent.
