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What Lithuanians think about personal data protection?

Privacy

At the end of 2020 State Data Protection Inspectorate in Lithuania performed a survey which revealed that Lithuanians care about their personal data protection. Compared with 2019, in 2020 we wanted to see infringers punished more.

In 2020 State Data Protection Inspectorate performed a survey of 1009 respondents that represent various groups of our society from the biggest cities of Lithuania, as well as those who live in rural areas. Based on the results of the Survey:

  • Lithuanians have decent awareness about GDPR. 73% of Lithuanians are aware about the GDPR and the biggest awareness is among those who support top-level management positions, have higher education, and those with higher incomes. However, the lowest awareness is among students and pupils.

  • Lithuanians are super sensitive about personal codes and fingerprints. In addition, we are sensitive about our health data, incomes, face image, home address. We are not that sensitive about our phone number and information on our position. The interesting thing is that top-level management and housewives feel the biggest need for privacy in Lithuania.

  • Lithuanians care who, how, and what personal data of them processes, this was confirmed by 81% of respondents. Based on the Survey, we trust that our public authorities process our data in the right way and the biggest trust is in the police, National Revenue Agency, and the State Social Insurance Fund Board. Further, we trust a lot in banks. We do not trust that much in telecommunication companies, traders, and fast credit companies. During 2020 trust in traders dropped the most and the trust in schools, health care organizations reduced too.

  • Lithuanians think that COVID-19 pandemic leads to less compliance with personal data processing requirements. This was confirmed by 18% of respondents. Additionally, reduced trust in traders, schools, and health care organizations most likely is also the outcome of COVID-19 pandemic.

  • Increased belief that actual punishment is needed. 54% of those who have faced unlawful processing of their personal data would like to see infringers punished. This rate increased by 18% compared with 2019.

  • 65% of respondents know about State Data Protection Inspectorate and 57% of respondents know that this is an authority that protects their rights. Meaning that in case you will infringe the rights of Lithuanians, the chances that infringement will be noticed by Lithuanians and reported to the national supervising authority is really high.

More detailed information on the Survey is available in Lithuanian only (unfortunately) and can be found here.
If you would like to discuss about personal data protection in Lithuania, go on and appoint me a virtual meeting here.