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A growing gap between understanding online privacy risks and feeling in control of personal data is emerging globally, according to new research from NordVPN.
The Data Privacy Concerns in 23 Markets survey, which examined responses from internet users across North America, Europe, Latin America, and Asia, found respondents across most countries reported a strong awareness of online privacy risks but lower confidence when it came to managing personal data and security settings.
In Australia, 71 per cent of respondents said they understood how online services and social media platforms collect and use personal data, while only 64 per cent felt in control of how that information is handled online.
The trend was reflected internationally, with privacy awareness scores across most markets ranging between 67 and 84 per cent, while feelings of personal data control were generally lower, sitting between 39 and 66 per cent.
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According to the survey, the largest awareness and control gaps were recorded in Nordic countries and Japan, where respondents strongly valued privacy protections but expressed lower confidence in managing personal data online.
Demand for immediate data breach notifications emerged as the most consistent concern across all 23 markets surveyed. Australia recorded one of the strongest responses globally, with 91 per cent of respondents saying they would want to be notified immediately if their personal data was compromised.
The highest score was recorded in Norway at 96 per cent, followed by Denmark at 94 per cent and Sweden at 93 per cent, while Japan and Germany reported the lowest results on this measure.
The survey also found Australians were relatively confident using online payment systems, with 75 per cent saying they felt comfortable entering payment details on shopping websites.
Privacy habits also differed between regions, with respondents in Latin America and parts of East Asia reporting some of the strongest engagement with online privacy settings and account security.
Mexico, Brazil, Taiwan and Hong Kong recorded some of the highest scores for regularly reviewing privacy settings, app permissions and account security. In Australia, 69 per cent of respondents said they regularly review or adjust privacy settings on websites and apps they use.
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NordVPN surveyed internet users between February and April 2026 about five areas of online privacy: how well people understand personal data, online confidence, data control, how strongly they want breach alerts, and how often they review privacy settings.
