A recent survey conducted by the Data Protection Commission found that a significant number of Irish adults do not pay much attention to how their personal data is used by organizations. The survey, which was the first of its kind, showed that less than one-fifth of respondents closely monitor the usage of their data, with only 7% of 18-24 year olds expressing serious concern.

The survey, carried out by FleishmanHillard and Empathy Research in May and involving 1,034 adults, highlighted various concerns regarding data protection. A staggering 77% of participants expressed worry about the sharing and use of children's personal data online. Additionally, 76% were concerned about the creation of digital profiles that are shared, traded, or sold to others, while 61% were apprehensive about the application of artificial intelligence (AI).

Concerns regarding social media companies creating personalized profiles and using personal data for targeted advertisements were also prevalent, with 59% and 58% of respondents expressing unease, respectively.

Despite these concerns, the survey revealed that a significant portion of adults do not pay close attention to how their data is utilized by organizations. The research indicated that most individuals have a passive awareness, with varying levels of engagement based on region and social class.

The survey emphasized the need for increased education and engagement efforts to address the shallow public attention towards data usage by organizations.

Furthermore, the survey found that nearly three-quarters of adults consider it important for organizations to comply with data protection requirements, even if it results in a slight delay in product or service release. Approximately half of the respondents claimed to have a good understanding of data protection.

The Data Protection Commission's annual report for 2024 revealed an 11% increase in data breaches compared to the previous year. Notably, half of the reported breaches were attributed to correspondence being sent to the wrong recipient.

Dr. Des Hogan, chairman of the Data Protection Commission, emphasized the importance of safeguarding personal data in today's digital age. He highlighted the role of fair and consistent regulation in building trust among individuals regarding the lawful and secure usage of their data.