Cypriots wary about use of personal data for direct marketing

Nearly six out of 10 of internet users in Cyprus refused to allow the use of their personal data for direct marketing purposes in the last three months, according to a recent Eurostat report.

A survey on how EU citizens manage access to their personal data when using the internet for private purposes showed that one in two people aged between 16-74 years refused to allow the use of their personal data for advertising purposes.

In Cyprus that percentage was higher, at 59 per cent.

The island holds the seventh place among the 27 member states, while Netherlands has the highest share of citizens who refuse the use of their data for advertisement with 73 per cent. Finland comes second with 70 per cent, while both Denmark and Germany count 63 per cent and Spain 62 per cent.

In addition, 46 per cent of the EU citizens reported that they only allowed restricted access to their geographical location or refused access to this information entirely.

Fewer, 40 per cent read privacy policy statements before providing personal data.

Similarly, 40 per cent limited access to their social networking site profiles or content or shared online storage. Meanwhile 33 per cent checked that the website where they provided their personal data was secure.

According to the European Commission, personal data is any information that relates to an identified or identifiable living individual.