Smartphone use in Cyprus higher than EU average

In 2020, 88 per cent of people aged 16-74 in Cyprus used a smartphone for private purposes, higher than the EU average of 81 per cent, but they were less likely than their EU counterparts to restrict or refuse access to personal data, according to a Eurostat survey.

Across the EU, 18 per cent of the population responded that when using or installing an app on the smartphone they never restricted or refused its access to personal data such as their location or contacts.

Around a third of people aged 16-74 never restricted or refused access to their personal data when using or installing an app in Croatia (37 per cent) and Czechia (36 per cent), as well as Latvia (32 per cent) and Lithuania (31 per cent).

Cyprus is ranked fifth with 29 per cent.

Only 11 per cent of people aged 16-74 in Sweden never restricted or refused access, followed by Italy, the Netherlands and Portugal (all 12 per cent).

While 6 per cent did not know it is possible to restrict or refuse access to their personal data when using or installing an app, only 3 per cent of Cypriots reported they were not aware they could do this.

The share of people who never restricted or refused such access was highest among the youngest (20 per cent for 16-24 years old) and lowest among the eldest (14 per cent for 65-74 years old).