Q. In the last 12 months, have you taken any of the following actions to protect your privacy on the internet?
Total | Men | Women | Aged 18-34 | Aged 35-54 | Aged 55+ | Aug 2015 | |||
Cleared cookies and browser in history | 73% | 76% | 70% | 74% | 76% | 69% | 77% | ||
Stopped using a website you think might be using information about you | 54% | 55% | 53% | 58% | 55% | 50% | 54% | ||
Set your browser to disable or turned off cookies | 46% | 48% | 45% | 50% | 46% | 43% | 51% | ||
Deleted something you posted in the past | 46% | 45% | 47% | 58% | 46% | 33% | 48% | ||
Decided not to use a website because they wanted your real name | 42% | 35% | 40% | 49% | 42% | 36% | 43% | ||
Used a false name or untraceable username | 32% | 35% | 29% | 44% | 32% | 17% | 33% | ||
Use a non-identifiable email address | 26% | 30% | 21% | 39% | 26% | 11% | 27% | ||
Used a Virtual Private Network or Tor | 18% | 24% | 12% | 28% | 15% | 10% | 16% |
Note: previous surveys asked if “ever” taken these actions.
Actions most likely to have been taken to protect privacy were clearing cookies and browser in history (73%), stopped using a website that might be using your information (54%) and setting browser to disable or turning off cookies (46%).
There has been little change since this question was last asked in 2015.