• Half of Germans (51 percent) feel more comfortable using the Internet to answer tricky questions rather than turning to friends and family.
  • 45 percent have asked Google something that they would never tell another person.
  • Despite personal details and sometimes intimate questions, many of those surveyed neither use an incognito browser (34 percent) nor a VPN (48 percent).
Infographic on the survey regarding Germans' online search behavior / Image rights: ExpressVPN
Infographic on the survey regarding Germans' online search behavior / Image rights: ExpressVPN

Just over a third of Germans use the Internet at least once a day to look for services, facts and advice, and 17 percent use the Internet five to six times a day. An international study by OnePoll on behalf of ExpressVPN , a service provider for data security and privacy,

“Better ask Google”

More than half of Germans (51 percent) feel more comfortable consulting the Internet for tricky questions rather than turning to family and friends. In addition, a whopping 45 percent have asked the most popular of all search engines something that they would never trust another person with. Younger people in particular seem to prefer this route - 51 percent of 18 to 24 year olds and 53 percent of 25 to 34 year olds have already shared a secret with Google. In comparison, in the group of 45 to 54 year olds it is only 31 percent, and in the 55 to 64 year old group it is only 23 percent.

Infographic on the survey regarding Germans' online search behavior / Image rights: ExpressVPN
Infographic on the survey regarding Germans' online search behavior / Image rights: ExpressVPN

From banal to intimate

Although the search queries are often about everyday things - for example recipes (17 percent), the weather (20 percent), travel destinations (20 percent) or the age of a celebrity (11 percent) - topics also often play a role, which are much more personal and intimate. For example, 16 percent of respondents googled information about physical illnesses and 11 percent about mental illnesses. 14 percent are looking for remedies and cures for physical complaints. 20 percent are looking for answers about sex, while eleven and nine percent are hoping for tips on dating and relationship questions.

Infographic on the survey regarding Germans' online search behavior / Image rights: ExpressVPN
Infographic on the survey regarding Germans' online search behavior / Image rights: ExpressVPN

Some (17 percent) are simply embarrassed that they don't know the answer to a certain question, but 23 percent say that they cannot share a topic with people close to them and therefore seek help online. Almost a quarter (24 percent) even fear that these people will condemn them.

Infographic on the survey regarding Germans' online search behavior / Image rights: ExpressVPN
Infographic on the survey regarding Germans' online search behavior / Image rights: ExpressVPN

Angry and ashamed

The respondents would react accordingly if other people were to gain insight into their search histories. A quarter would initially be angry (24 percent), 21 percent would simply be uncomfortable, 17 percent would be ashamed or embarrassed (six percent) and ten percent would even be scared. However, a small proportion of those surveyed (four percent) would be relieved that their secret had finally been revealed.

Infographic on the survey regarding Germans' online search behavior / Image rights: ExpressVPN
Infographic on the survey regarding Germans' online search behavior / Image rights: ExpressVPN

Those who feel embarrassed are primarily concerned that a side of themselves will be revealed that they don't want to show (43 percent). Another 29 percent fear that a picture will be painted of them that does not do justice to their true personality. And some simply have a search history that is not entirely suitable for young people - as if to confirm the cliché, this affects significantly more men than women (45 vs. 28 percent).

Infographic on the survey regarding Germans' online search behavior / Image rights: ExpressVPN
Infographic on the survey regarding Germans' online search behavior / Image rights: ExpressVPN

Privacy? There was something!

However, given the topics and personal details shared online and concerns about what others might think, people seem to have little concern about their privacy and possible consequences of their digital openness. Ultimately, only 16 percent of respondents use an incognito browser for their online searches every day; a third (34 percent) never use this option. The situation is similar with the use of virtual private networks (VPN) to improve privacy on the Internet - almost half of Germans (48 percent) do not use a VPN.

However, some of the behavior seems to be simply due to convenience: 17 percent of those surveyed actually say that they are simply too lazy to delete their search history. 59 percent would also find it useful if it were to empty automatically. And with the theoretical knowledge that one's own search history is made public, a quarter (26 percent) of Germans would then adjust their search behavior significantly and 40 percent would at least adjust it a little.

“Our study has shown that Germans are much more open about their most intimate questions and concerns online than with friends and family. While they are aware of the risk and concerned that companies and platforms can view their most private information, they are doing little to stop it. They could have control over what they show third parties about their online behavior and search history.

People have a right to privacy online. Using a VPN can be a useful tool to ensure that companies cannot see or log online activity, such as websites visited or apps used, nor can they sell these recordings. By taking control of what they show others about their online behavior, users are taking the power back into their own hands – quickly and effectively.”

Harold Li, Vice President at ExpressVPN

You might also be interested in:What is data protection and how do I protect my privacy?”

Source : Press portal


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