Two years after the entry into force of the GDPR, 86% of French people have no idea how many companies use, store or access their personal data. The consumer citizen seems overwhelmed by the bush of the protection of his data.
The GDPR celebrated its two years of existence in full containment last May. The balance sheets then flourished, especially statistics, counting fines and offenses, but without addressing the subject of the knowledge, or lack of knowledge in this case, of citizens of their rights in terms of the protection of privacy and collection. personal data. This is precisely the objective of the European study carried out by OpenText, the specialist in in-house or cloud data management accp certification.
The study was carried out via Google Surveys in April-May 2020 with 12,000 consumers, interviewed anonymously in Germany, Australia, Canada, Spain, France, United Kingdom and Singapore. The French panel included 2000 participants.
The least that we can conclude by analyzing the results is that French citizens, and Europeans in general, are only imperfectly aware of their data protection rights. More than a third (38%) of French people say they have no knowledge of the legislation intended to protect this data, compared to 24% of German consumers, 16% of the British and 28% of the Spanish. Only 32% of French people have a good knowledge of these laws, and 30% have a vague idea.
Lack of knowledge of the types of data collected
French consumers are also less suspicious than the average (33%) of the trust placed in companies to preserve the security or confidentiality of their personal data, compared to 47% of Germans, 45% of British, 39% of Spaniards. . In addition, almost half (42%) of the French have never asked the question, against 34% of Germans and British, and 33% of Spaniards. These figures should be compared with those relating to the type of data collected.
Indeed, the majority (86%) of French consumers have “no idea” of the number of businesses that use, store or access their personal data, such as their email address, phone number or contact details. banking. A figure that always stands out from that of its neighbors: 73% of Germans, 80% of British, 79% of Spaniards, who seem more alert on the subject.
Not inclined to pay more for better protection
It seems that the French consumer does not learn the lessons of the various scandals of misuse of personal data, which marked these last years. He either has too much faith in companies to comply with the GDPR, or in regulators to monitor the market. And in both cases, he exercises neither his vigilance nor his rights. Worse still, when asked if they are willing to pay more for their purchases, from a company that is committed to protecting the confidentiality of their personal data, only 17% of respondents in France would accept. A much lower proportion than their German (41%), British (49%) or Spanish (36%) counterparts.
The exercise of a posteriori control does not seem to be part of the concerns of the French either. Only 23% of French consumers declare that they would be ready to enter, on their own initiative, in contact with a company in order to verify the use made of their personal data or the conformity of their conservation. Their German (25%), British (32%) and Spanish (38%) neighbors are slightly more proactive in this area. Less than one in ten French people (9%) have already taken this step at least once, compared to 12% of Germans, 13% of British and 17% of Spaniards.
It is up to the citizen to exercise control
In short, the French consumer, and, to a lesser extent, European consumer shows complacency or powerlessness. The lack of awareness of its rights and the confidence given to companies to respect the law, and that given to the regulator to monitor the market, leave the door open to many abuses. It is true that the citizen of the 21 st century, who lives in an omnipresent digital reality, must manage a complexity that is much more inextricable than that of his ancestors.
The bush of consumer information and the collection of opt-ins, more or less subtly organized by certain major players in data collection, does not help to navigate either. However, no one is supposed to ignore the Law, it is up to the citizen to exercise his control and vigilance. This is also the ultimate meaning of the GDPR, which gives citizens the possibility of accepting or not that this data is collected, and what data can be. And, if necessary, to exercise their right of access and control.
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