200+ Data Privacy Statistics: Fines, Laws, and Consumer Behavior

The digital landscape is changing. More and more, consumers are realising the importance of data privacy. This shift in mindset is something businesses must attune to if they hope to build strong relationships with their customers.

The phasing out of third-party cookies by Google at the end of 2024 and global regulations like GDPR and CCPA tightening data collection mean companies that embed privacy as a core part of their operations have the most to gain.

There are statistics to prove this. In 2023, a study by Cisco found that 94% of organizations confirmed their customers would no longer do business with them if they believed their data wasn’t adequately protected. This makes customer data a keystone for operations and not just something to fill a compliance checkbox.

This is a core value to us at Countly. We empower businesses to protect their users’ privacy while providing analytics that can provide actionable insight. In this article, we’ll look at the latest data privacy statistics and answer the questions that matter most:

• Is data truly safe today?
• Have enough laws and regulations been implemented to protect it?
• Are there better solutions to keep businesses' and users’ data safe?

Before that, it’s important to build an understanding of general data privacy and what statistics about this mean to customers and businesses, respectively. 

General Data Privacy Statistics

To appreciate the importance of data privacy means knowing what happens when it isn’t handled responsibly. Data breaches, where vital personal information is leaked on the internet, are often the catalyst for sweeping change to companies, whether from within or enforced by governments.

Protecting personal information continues to worry both commercial organizations and their target clients. People have become more aware of their data collection practices because digital activity continues to increase. These statistics highlight current consumer attitudes, business responses, and data privacy trends.

Consumer Concerns and Behaviors

Research suggests that nearly a third of UC consumers are reluctant to share personal data due to privacy concerns. Any lack of transparency from companies on how their information will be collected, used, or shared will only add to] this.

This is supported by the fact that 79% of Americans are wary of how businesses handle their customers’ personal data. Data breaches only add to this distrust, with 66% of Americans saying they would completely lose faith in any organization that suffers a cyber attack. This lack of confidence extends to the government, too, with 64% wary of official authorities’ use and collection of citizens’ data.

For many consumers, about 81%, the potential risks of data collection outweigh the benefits. This means businesses need to be clear and honest about how they value customers’ information.

Business Perspective and Compliance

Customers’ concerns contrast with businesses’ realization of just how important data collection is for marketing and personalization. In fact, 94.1% of companies prefer to walk the line by practicing responsible data practices by committing to privacy protection while accumulating information.

The other side of the coin would be privacy regulations, and these, for the most part, have steered clear of negatively impacting businesses. About 78% of firms said they did not experience negative effects from regulations.

The notion, then, of business success and privacy being mutually exclusive can be dismissed. To add to this, 91.1% of business owners realize that taking customers’ privacy concerns into consideration builds trust, pointing to a future where a privacy-focused business approach may become more and more common.

Still, with data breaches still a possibility on any given day, 35% of US and UK firms believe that robust data security measures and constant vigilance are just as important.

Data breaches can damage a company’s reputation among its customers at the most fundamental level. To give that final statistic more context, it’s necessary to examine one of the biggest in recent years.

The Facebook Cambridge Analytica Scandal

The Facebook Cambridge Analytica scandal illustrates how Americans fear business data practices to such an extent that 79% show concern and 64% worry about government data use. Facebook users lost up to 87 million people to unauthorized data collection by Cambridge. Analytica for political targeting in the 2016 American election and the Brexit vote 2016. 

Facebook received its largest federal fine from the FTC, $5 billion, due to its illegal data practices and personal data abuse, which triggered public anger. The scandal showed the world that corporations and governments misuse personal data to their advantage at the company and government levels; therefore, GDPR and CCPA privacy law reforms demand better data protection and safety measures.

Data Privacy Laws and Regulation Statistics

Businesses need to follow important data privacy laws. In this section, we look at these laws and how they protect people's data privacy. 

• The EU maintains four digital regulations, including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) passed in 2018, the Digital Services Act (DSA), the Digital Markets Act (DMA) passed in 2024, and the Cyber Resilience Act (CRA) implemented the following year.³
• In January 2025, the United States implemented four significant data privacy laws to protect various sectors, including federal agencies under the Privacy Act of 1974 and healthcare with HIPAA from 1996, children under COPPA from 1998, and the financial sector under GLBA from 1999.³
• The United States reached 19 data privacy statutes in effect across different states beginning February 2025, although California initiated the first privacy statute in 2018. A few of these laws have yet to become operational.³
• Data privacy laws passed by 19 U.S. states were enacted by February 2025. All data privacy legislation demanded business entities establish practices for notifying customers about privacy matters.³

Clearly, regulations are at a point where having the right to help you make sense of the complicated world of data privacy can be the difference between a functional business and a thriving one. 

Here’s how Countly can help.

Seven Privacy Laws and Regulations Countly Help You Comply With

The last 30 years have seen waves of legislation that shaped how organizations process private data. No matter the industry, we ensure your business complies with every one. These are some of the most important.

1. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) (2018)

Under GDPR, personal EU citizen data processing must follow strict organizational guidelines, including data collection, storage, and processing steps. Organizations must get direct consent to handle user data with effective security systems that grant users access rights and data correction and removal options. The failure to obey GDPR requirements brings severe financial sanctions to businesses. Businesses can use Countly to establish GDPR-compliant tracking of data and handling of user consent.

2. Personal Data Protection Law (PDPL) (Various Countries)

Multiple nations across Middle Eastern regions, Asia, and Saudi Arabia have approved their data protection laws, which are known as PDPL. Such regulatory requirements parallel GDPR standards, demanding transparent disclosure practices, steady user consent management, and safe data handling procedures. The data privacy tools of Countlyallow businesses to develop privacy solutions that fulfill PDPL requirements across all regions.

3. Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) (1998, USA)

As part of its requirements, COPPA demands that online services catering to children younger than 13 need parental approval for data collection and commitment to protecting child privacy. Through Countly, users can track nonspecific statistics from users while implementing safety protocols to stop the collection of minor PII data without adequate security measures.

4. Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) (1996, USA)

HIPAA enforces strict medical data storage and processing standards among healthcare service providers and insurers with their business partners. Healthcare organizations must protect their data through secure standards, and patients must give active permission before data sharing occurs. The private cloud and on-premise deployment models from Countly help enterprises follow HIPAA requirements through their capability to keep healthcare information secure under complete user control.

‍"Data privacy in a HIPAA context means you only collect the minimum necessary information and you anonymize or encrypt anything that could identify a patient. With a first-party setup, you can configure exactly what data gets captured, for instance, you might choose to hash or avoid sending any patient identifiers through the analytics pipeline. Countly allows that level of granularity; you can literally toggle off or customize any data point in our SDKs, ensuring you’re not inadvertently capturing PHI you don’t need​. And because it’s your own deployment, there’s no outside party scanning or using the data. This minimizes privacy risks and stays true to HIPAA’s minimum necessary rule.” - Onur Alp Sonar, CEO @Countly

5. Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA) (1999, USA)

The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act forces financial organizations to secure consumer financial records while establishing safety systems and sharing data practices with their customers. Countly assists financial institutions in maintaining GLBA compliance through privacy-protecting analytics systems which defend sensitive information while demonstrating substantial transparency.

6. Digital Services Act (DSA) (EU)

The DSA strengthens online security through its requirement to enforce content management policies together with rules about algorithm transparency. Tech companies must reveal their policies for managing content, stopping illegal material from spreading, and maintaining user privacy through disclosure requirements. Countly provides organizations with adaptable tracking solutions which protect their compliance through proper data collection methods and reporting protocols.

7. Digital Markets Act (DMA) (2024, EU)

Under the DMA, digital market regulators establish guidelines to supervise significant tech companies, such as Google and Meta, guaranteeing equal market conditions and stopping anti-competitive practices. The system's enhanced digital transparency measures protect user rights and empower consumers. Countly allows businesses to obtain data insights that obey regulations via tools that maintain strict protective measures for user privacy.

But what about the general public’s stance towards data privacy? Changes in how it is handled are a relatively new phenomenon, with more people taking an interest in keeping their information protected. But what’s the cause of this? Data breaches? Revelatory leaks like those from Edward Snowden and Julian Assange? And where will this shift in mindset lead?

Awareness and Perception of Privacy Laws 

As the laws become stricter, so does people’s awareness of them. Because of this, nations display different levels of data rights and concerns among their users who use digital platforms differently. 

• A survey conducted in June 2024 indicated that 81% of internet users in China were aware of privacy laws, which was higher than 73% in France and 66% in Mexico. The average understanding among surveyed nations reached 53% based on data from these countries.³
• The rise in data privacy standards has caused international data-sharing expenses to rise for about 35% of American organizations and 40% of their British counterparts, according to a recent survey in 2023.³ 
• A substantial percentage of 35% across countries from both nations sees these privacy regulations as advantageous for businesses since they protect data stored abroad.³

China’s PIPL

China's first territorial data privacy law, named the Personal Information Protection Law (PIPL), provides the entire country with regulations about personal data collection and storage procedures. It functions similarly to the EU’s GDPR because users have twenty-five rights to manage their private information, including inspection capability and data rectification and deletion. The data processing of Chinese citizens' information by companies, including domestic and foreign entities, demands explicit consent from users plus strong data security systems. 

Before the introduction of PIPL, Chinese laws existed as separate rules scattered across various regulations, unified into one coherent framework with PIPL. Chinese internet users became more aware of their data privacy rights by combining this new law with strict enforcement practices and wide-scale public conversations. 

Public education about new data rights and understanding data handling practices under the law became possible through government initiatives, news coverage, and company notification requirements.

3 GDPR Fines and Compliance Statistics

The enforcement of GDPR has meant many companies were fined for not following the data protection rules. These penalties show why it’s essential to regulatory compliance and the financial risks of non-compliance. 

• Since January 2025, three organizations have been fined under the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) for transferring data outside the European Union.³
• The highest penalty, with the amount of 1.2 billion euros, was imposed on Meta Platforms Ireland Limited by the Irish data privacy authority Data Protection Commission (DPC).³
• The Chinese vehicle-for-rent company Didi Global came in second. In July 2022, China's data privacy regulator fined the company 8.026 billion Chinese yuan/1.19 billion U.S. dollars.³
• The 2021 Amazon fine issued by Luxembourg's data privacy regulation authorities was 877 million U.S. dollars, the third-biggest data breach acceptable as of the measured month.³ 
• The 2019 fine of 575 million U.S. dollars to Equifax followed. In this incident, nearly 150 million people were affected because of unpatched vulnerabilities, which caused the American consumer credit reporting agency to pay at least 575 million U.S. dollars.3
• Spain has imposed the highest number of GDPR fines. The 923 fines had a total amount of approximately 96 million euros in value. With 397 fines, Italy ranked second, followed by Germany, where data privacy authorities imposed 203 fines.³

How Meta Got a Record-Breaking Fine

Data protection authority IE DPA ordered Meta Platforms Ireland Limited (Meta IE) to pay a record-breaking fine of €1.2 billion when it discovered the company transferring European user personal data to the U.S. in violation of GDPR in May 2023. The EDPB issued this million-dollar GDPR fine as the biggest penalty to date in the history of GDPR enforcement. 

The fine ensued when Meta maintained SCC-based data transfers even though legal issues about U.S. data protection standards remained unresolved. The European Data Protection Board (EDPB) confirmed that Meta maintained automatic and ongoing processing conduct, affecting all European Facebook users and totaling millions. GDPR required the company to complete data processing conformity within six months. 

This case demonstrates how EU data privacy regulations enforce strict compliance and establish a warning for technology companies regarding the consequences of GDPR non-compliance.

Data Breach Statistics

Data breaches still continue to happen today and cost companies billions of dollars. These statistics show the scale of breaches, the industries most affected, and the financial impact of cyber incidents. 

• There were 1,774 data breaches in 2022.⁴ 
• Data breaches affected 422 million people during the year 2022.4
• 4.8 breaches occurred per day in 2022.⁴
• 1,560 breaches leaked victims’ names.⁴
• Social security number data from 1,143 breaches entered public view during these incidents.⁴
• 565 breaches leaked victims’ home addresses.⁴
• 465 breaches leaked victims’ medical histories.⁴
• The data breach activities of 443 breaches resulted in the exposure of victims' bank accounts.⁴
• CAM4 suffered the most significant data breach in 2020 through its system when over 10 billion records were exposed.⁴
• The 2013 Yahoo breach accessed over 3 billion user accounts on its platform.⁴
• The worldwide expense for data breaches amounts to $4.35 million on average.⁴
• The average cost of data breaches reaches $9.44 million in U.S. territories.⁴
• The average expense from data breaches within healthcare facilities reaches $10.0 million.⁴
• The average expense for hospitality data breaches amounts to $2.94 million.⁴
• Over half of all data breaches expose customer names, email addresses, and passwords.⁴

CAM4 Data Breach Exposed 10.88 Billion Records

In May 2020, an ElasticSearch database on the popular adult live-streaming platform CAM4 revealed 10.88 billion records through a configuration error. As a result of the security failure, seven terabytes of useful information surfaced, including customers' names, sexual orientations, payment records, email content, and chat content. 

The incident showed severe privacy threats despite no proof of suspicious party data access. The security breach impacted millions of users, most severely those in the United States, Brazil, Italy, and France. 

A few hours after notification, CAM4 removed their server from service, yet they received a strong rebuke for their weak security practices.

Government Requests for User Data Statistics

Governments request user data from tech companies for law enforcement, national security, and regulatory reasons. However, these demands raise privacy concerns and potential overreach.

Recently, the UK government pressured Apple to create a "backdoor" for encrypted data access, sparking fears that other governments may follow. Such moves could undermine user privacy worldwide.

The following statistics highlight how often governments request data and which countries lead in these demands.

• In the second half of 2023, Google obtained 216 thousand requests to expose user information from worldwide federal agencies and governments. The number of user accounts affected by these requests reached about 441 thousand during this period.³
• Google submitted more than 82,000 user information disclosure requests originating from U.S. federal agencies and other government entities during the first months of 2024. The Indian government arranged as the second-highest author of requests for user information disclosure to Google behind Germany.³
• The Indian law enforcement made 99,000 user data requests to Facebook within the first six months of 2024. The United States occupied the second position regarding user data requests with 81,000, while Brazil followed closely with 26,000 requests.³ 
• For the tracked period, the social network received requests amounting to 324,000.³
• User information requests reached 324,000 law enforcement agencies on Facebook during the second part of 2024. Of all the law enforcement agency requests the social network handled during this period, it fulfilled 77%.³
• TikTok received 2,606 user data requests from Malaysia between the first and second quarters of 2024.³
• There were 778 user data requests in Indonesia, which placed the country in position two. Upholding 8,516 Government user data requests worldwide became notable during that period.³

Statistics on Indian law enforcement show that India's governments actively seek to access user information, demonstrating how the nation regulates its digital platforms and handles digital enforcement work.

Global Internet Freedom and Privacy Concern Statistics

Internet freedom and privacy concerns vary worldwide, with some countries enforcing strict data control measures while others prioritize user privacy. These insights reveal how different nations approach online rights and digital surveillance.

• France emerged as the third freest country with 86 points, following Estonia, which held the second position with 92 points.³
• China and Myanmar together maintained the position of having the least internet freedom worldwide in 2024. The Freedom House Index indicated that these two states held the lowest positions by earning nine index points since each nation obtained ratings between 100 (completely free) and zero (least free). Russia and Iran acquired index points of 10 and 12 when measured through the Freedom House Index.³
• Research from a user survey spanning February through March 2023 indicates that British internet users experience "followed" behavior on their screens at 50% following product discussion or TV advertisement exposure. The results showed that users in Canada experienced this feeling at the same rate of 46 percent. United States users represent 40 %of individuals who experienced digital surveillance when discussing topics in front of smart home devices.³

Iceland was the top internet freedom provider worldwide in 2024. Iceland occupied the top position in the Freedom House Index with 94 points, which depends on a score ranging between 100 for the freest and 0 for the least free.³

Iceland: The World Leader in Internet Freedom

The Freedom House index names Iceland the global leader in internet freedom because it achieves a 95 out of 100 score. Almost every citizen can access the internet throughout Iceland because it has minimal content restrictions while ensuring extensive user rights protection through its legal framework. 

Iceland maintains an extensive digital infrastructure with competitive service providers that deliver high connectivity and inexpensive internet rates to its citizens. The government establishes solid data privacy regulations to protect users in an unmonitored and fully accessible digital space. 

Even a haven like Iceland is vulnerable to data privacy challenges, however. Protection and freedom become more difficult to ensure at an individual level, which is why those using iOS devices are just as vulnerable to having their location, browsing and other data collected as those in other parts of the world.

iOS Apps and Data Collection Statistics

Many iOS apps collect user data for advertising, analytics, and personalization. This section examines how free and paid apps handle personal information and what consumers should know about app privacy policies.

• Data collection is admitted by 13.7% of paid iOS apps that operate in January 2025.3
• Information regarding private data collection comes from 53% of free-to-download iOS apps, while paid apps maintain silence about user privacy data collection through 86% of their numbers.3
• iOS app publishers utilize 89% of customer-related data gathered through their applications to develop their product features as of January 2025.3
• The data collected from non-user-related sources has an equivalent functional purpose, with 72% of apps sharing this characteristic.³
• A total of 82.78% of iOS applications monitor personal information belonging to users. 
• The usage of user-linked data reaches 31.73% among iOS applications.³
• Users’ background location exists in the databases of 18.44% of iOS apps.³
• Among iOS apps, there exists a 15.31% rate of those that employ user data for tracking activities.³
• User data collection occurs in 12.61% of paid apps, although free apps are responsible for 49.47% of data collection practices.³
• Social media platforms and food delivery applications collect approximately twenty points of user-related data.³
• On average, shopping applications obtain seventeen different types of user data.³
• On average, dating applications require users to provide 16 distinctive data points.³
• Browser applications, image editing tools, and children-oriented applications require minimal user information.³
• 23% of smartphone users say they handle their data at their discretion.³
• 40% of people worry about businesses handling their data.³
• A quarter of users feel anxious about whether their government monitors them online.³

As of January 2025, 53% of free-to-download iOS apps disclosed collecting user data, indicating that over 50% of no-cost iOS applications shed light on their data collection methods while earning income through advertising or data trading. Users should be cautious about privacy issues because most paid applications do not disclose their data collection practices, yet most free iOS apps willingly reveal their data collection activities.

We are not strangers to this, either. The multi-dimensional nature of the modern user experience means having a perspective that understands every facet of it.

‍"Today, a user’s journey spans multiple touchpoints, web, mobile, and even IoT devices, and involves not just using the product but interacting with content, customer support, and more. When we say “digital analytics,” we’re talking about an all-encompassing view of the customer experience across all digital channels, not just within a single product silo.” - Onur Alp Sonar, CEO @Countly

And then, of course, there’s social media. Data collection at this level is nearly unmatched. User comments, profile information, images direct messages—each is a treasure trove of information. Together, the data they offer is more valuable than oil.

Social Media Privacy Statistics

Social media platforms collect vast amounts of personal data, raising concerns about privacy and security. These statistics highlight user perceptions, data collection practices, and why people are becoming more cautious about their social media usage.

• Social media usage falls among 38% of survey participants due to their worries about how their data privacy is handled.⁵
• Social media users confirmed that they eliminated their accounts because of privacy worries at a rate of 36%.⁵
• Most people (31%) demonstrated zero confidence in social media companies to safeguard their data effectively.⁵
• A majority of 73% of users report organizations silently gathering their personal information.⁵
• 77% of Americans hold minimal faith that social media company leaders will confess errors and accept responsibility for misusing data.⁵
• 89% of people worry about how social media platforms obtain personal data from children.⁵

These statistics show how people are becoming more aware of how valuable their social media data really is. Even more importantly, the consequences of it being mishandled, either by themselves or the companies that store it, are shaping the future of digital platforms’ reputations.

Why People Are More Data-Sensitive On Their Socials

Based on findings from the article "Comparative sensitivity of social media data and their acceptable use in research" by Libby Hemphill, Angela Schöpke-Gonzalez, and Anmol Panda, social media users are developing more extraordinary sensitivity about their data because they increasingly understand data collection methods and potential misuse. Users have started recognizing that their digital presence creates trackable information companies use without permission to analyze and sell. 

People have more excellent information about data collection procedures and an improved understanding of privacy risks, leading to elevated social media awareness. Equipped with this knowledge, users show more caution because their information is now exposed to social media operators, research entities, advertisers, and, on rare occasions, government organizations.

Users have become more sensitive after discovering that social media platform data contains more personal information than expected. Based on these platforms, users exchange personal narratives and opinions, which extend to their trusted online friends. 

Social media and third-party cookies were also inseparable when it came to tracking user behavior. 

Cookie Privacy Statistics

Cookies play a significant role in online tracking and targeted advertising, but many users consider them a privacy concern. These statistics examine consumer attitudes toward cookies and how businesses use them to gather data.

• 65% of individuals believe that using numerous cookies creates privacy-related issues. 
• The willingness of buyers to provide additional data reaches 60% when it brings them personalized advantages.⁵
• 75% of websites use cookie banners.⁵
• Most websites (55%) block user options to manage cookie consent settings before visitors engage with the content.⁵
• Attractive fonts and colors appear in 61% of tech companies' cookie notifications that aim to persuade users to accept all cookies.⁵
• Website notifications guide 43% of visitors to approve all cookies within their systems.⁵

When To Accept Cookies

A study by Anthony D. Miyazaki (2008) found that consumers react less negatively to cookie use when websites disclose their data collection practices up front. This transparency builds trust and increases the likelihood of users returning to the site. 

The research also shows that consumers with more online experience and a higher concern for privacy are more sensitive to undisclosed cookie practices. This suggests that transparent cookie disclosures are essential for maintaining user trust and encouraging continued patronage.

‍“Make sure your consent notices are clear, about what data is collected and for what purpose. Also ensure your honor choices (e.g. if someone opts out of tracking, truly stop tracking.) Consent is crucial under laws like GDPR and CCPA, and an effective consent management process ensures that users are informed and in control.” - Onur Alp Soner, CEO @Countly

Data Privacy and Consumer Behavior Statistics

Consumers are becoming more selective about the businesses they trust with their data. These statistics explore how privacy concerns influence purchasing decisions and online behavior.

• Organizations possess data protection practices because 94% of their customers refuse to do business without secure data handling methods.⁶
• Global research findings reveal that 68% of people worldwide worry about protecting their privacy online.⁶
• Data privacy is a significant concern for 86% of the general population of the United States.⁶
• Data ethical trust among US consumers stands at only 40%.⁶
• A survey of US adults reveals that just 21% believe in individuals who obtain their personal information to handle it ethically.⁶
• Companies with access to US adult data will utilize it in ways that make individuals feel uneasy based on public opinion surveys.⁶
• 80% of American adults predict their data will end in unintended uses.⁶
• The desire to defend online privacy runs high among 85% of global adults.⁶
• 61% of users who read privacy policies find that these documents do not adequately explain how companies process personal data.⁶
• Over half of the US population frequently agrees to privacy policies without reviewing their contents.⁶ 
• 76% of the American public demands clearer company practices regarding personal data utilization.⁶
• According to user surveys, most companies fail to explain clearly how they utilize customer data because 63% of users express this concern.⁶
• Personal data collection concerns caused 52% of Americans to opt out of purchasing products and services.⁶
• The lack of privacy transparency causes 48% of users to stop purchasing products from the company.⁶

A worldwide poll indicates that 68% of people worry about their privacy on the Internet. Comprehensive data protection solutions require business organizations to establish clear policies while fostering customer trust.

People usually avoid sharing their information with websites that poorly manage customer data. What about businesses, though? As we have seen before, companies are just as vulnerable as their customers under the right (or wrong, depending on how you view it) circumstances.

Business Data Privacy Statistics

Companies are adopting privacy-enhancing technologies and the impact of compliance on business operations.

• Data privacy law requirements receive assistance from compliance solutions, which 72% of businesses employ.⁷
• According to Fortune Business Insights, the worldwide data privacy software market is expected to grow from $2.76 billion in 2023 to $30.31 billion by 2030.⁷
• The data indicates that over 46% of companies predict adopting enhanced data privacy technology during the following three years.⁷
• At least one privacy-enhancing computation technique will gain usage among 60% of large organizations within the next five years.⁷
• According to corporate respondents, privacy laws effectively contributed to organizational success at a rate of 79%.⁷
• Businesses reported to boards of directors that privacy laws positively impacted their organization by 79%, while negative impacts were identified by only 6%.⁷
• A vast majority of 98% of businesses present privacy metrics to their boards of directors.⁷

For 2023, 72% of companies used compliance solutions to fulfill their data privacy law mandates. Businesses now widely implement compliance solutions since they understand data privacy regulations, protect them from penalties, and ensure customer loyalty.

• 55% of leaders who manage the reputation of brands identify generative AI risks as their primary concern.⁸
• The usage of GenAI by outside organizations has sufficient details for protection against reputation harm, according to 21% of companies.⁸
• Users who understand AI technologies predict that company usage of AI systems will produce results with their personal information misused in unwanted ways, according to 81% of those surveyed.⁸
• Most individuals sense that their personal information will be misused through AI systems beyond the intended purposes.⁸
• The adoption rate of content authenticity technology and enhanced monitoring by CMOs for GenAI deception protection will reach 60% by 2026.⁸
• An average savings of $1.76 million exist for companies implementing security AI and automation over organizations that do not use this technology.⁹

Throughout 2024, organizations indicated they had problems maintaining privacy regarding Artificial Intelligence (AI). Integrating artificial intelligence technologies creates new data privacy problems, and businesses must develop dedicated plans to safeguard the possible risks arising from AI-driven processing.

‍“As models become less resource-intensive and companies like Microsoft provide self-hosted AI models on Azure Cloud, this is the direction we are going in.” - Arturs Sosins, CTO @Countly

• 55% of leaders who manage the reputation of brands identify generative AI risks as their primary concern.⁸
• The usage of GenAI by outside organizations has sufficient details for protection against reputation harm, according to 21% of companies.⁸
• Users who understand AI technologies predict that company usage of AI systems will produce results with their personal information misused in unwanted ways, according to 81% of those surveyed.⁸
• Most individuals sense that their personal information will be misused by AI systems beyond the intended purposes.⁸
• The adoption rate of content authenticity technology and enhanced monitoring by CMOs for GenAI deception protection will reach 60% by 2026.⁸
• An average savings of $1.76 million exists for companies implementing security AI and automation over organizations that do not use this technology.⁹

Throughout 2024, organizations indicated they had problems maintaining privacy regarding Artificial Intelligence (AI). Integrating artificial intelligence technologies creates new data privacy problems, and businesses must develop dedicated plans to safeguard the possible risks arising from AI-driven processing.

Final Word

So, where do we stand on data privacy and protection? Is anyone’s data truly safe? The answer to that, in many ways, is left to individual users. What you choose to share and how much is a personal choice, but the information given to companies to protect is their responsibility.

Have enough laws and regulations been implemented to ensure user protection? The statistics speak for themselves. Data privacy is becoming more important to users. Breaches and leaks have made the digital landscape one where legislation like GDPR and HIPAA is the closest to peace of mind that customers can get in the hope that their respective governments will hold companies responsible for data mismanagement.

And what solution is there to keeping users’ and businesses’ data safe? There’s no better option than a partner like Countly. We adapt to your business’s needs, making sure it complies with every aspect of data privacy regulatory requirements and more.

Sources

1. Termly: https://termly.io/resources/data-lab/how-businesses-feel-about-data-privacy/#:~:text=78.1%25%20of%20businesses%20felt%20no%20negative%20impact%20from%20privacy%20requirements 
2. Pew Research Center: https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2023/10/18/how-americans-view-data-privacy/ 
3. Statista: https://www.statista.com/topics/8002/online-privacy-worldwide/#statisticChapter 
4. IBM: https://www.ibm.com/reports/data-breach 
5. McKinsey & Company: https://www.mckinsey.com/~/media/McKinsey/Business%20Functions/Risk/Our%20Insights/The%20consumer%20data%20opportunity%20and%20the%20privacy%20imperative/The-consumer-data-opportunity-and-the-privacy-imperative.pdf 
6. KPMG: https://kpmg.com/kpmg-us/content/dam/kpmg/pdf/2023/corporate-data-responsibility-bridging-the-consumer-trust-gap.pdf 
7. Cisco: https://www.cisco.com/c/dam/en_us/about/doing_business/trust-center/docs/cisco-privacy-benchmark-study-2023.pdf 
8. Cisco: https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/about/trust-center/data-privacy-benchmark-study.html#~key-findings 
9. IBM: https://www.ibm.com/reports/data-breach#:~:text=The%20average%20savings%20for%20organizations%20that%20use%20security%20AI%20and%20automation%20extensively%20is%20USD%201.76%20million%20compared%20to%20organizations%20that%20don%E2%80%99t.