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Europeans Express Growing Concern Over Internet Risks, Disinformation
The internet has become an integral part of daily life for Europeans, who use it for personal relationships, shopping, financial decisions, education, and accessing religious content. However, this increased reliance comes with significant concerns about the negative aspects of advancing “social” technologies.
According to a recent EU-wide survey involving more than 26,000 respondents across the 27 member states, 69% expressed “high concern” about disinformation—misleading or false information circulating online. The survey reveals a population increasingly worried about the darker side of digital connectivity.
Nearly seven out of ten Europeans also reported serious concerns about hate speech (68%), fake content created by artificial intelligence (68%), the protection of personal data (68%), and threats to freedom of expression (67%).
Regional variations in these concerns are significant. Spain leads with the highest anxiety about disinformation (85%), followed closely by Cyprus (82%) and Italy (80%). These figures suggest that in these countries, almost the entire population fears being deceived or manipulated by false information presented as truth.
In France (72%) and Croatia (68%), hate speech, both online and offline, emerges as the primary concern, though Italy, Spain, Poland, and Portugal also show elevated levels of worry about this issue.
The proliferation of AI-generated false content, particularly deepfake videos that can be difficult to distinguish from authentic footage, ranks as the number one concern for citizens in the Netherlands and Finland (73%), as well as Sweden, Germany, Belgium, and Denmark. This concern peaks in Cyprus (84%), Malta, and Luxembourg (79%), indicating a heightened awareness of AI’s potential for deception in these countries.
Data protection concerns follow geographic patterns, with Southern and Eastern European nations showing greater anxiety (above 60%) compared to their Northern and Central European counterparts. Citizens in Bulgaria, Estonia, Hungary, Poland, and Greece are particularly concerned about how their private data is used online.
Freedom of expression worries are most pronounced in Spain (85%), Italy (84%), and Portugal (70%), while Denmark shows relatively low concern (41%). Notably, social polarization—extremism and lack of agreement—is identified as the main problem only in Slovakia (68%), though significant concern exists across about a third of EU countries.
Media independence is another key issue, with approximately half of all Europeans expressing concern. Once again, Italians, Greeks, and Spaniards demonstrate the highest levels of preoccupation, while northern nations like Denmark (24%), Sweden (32%), and Finland (33%) appear less troubled by this issue.
Overall patterns suggest that Mediterranean countries show the greatest pessimism about the growing technological environment of online communications, followed by Eastern European nations. Northern European Union countries generally express less fear about the harmful impacts of internet practices.
The Eurobarometer, reflecting European opinions in autumn 2025, also gathered data on other topics including attachment to the EU, concerns about war and terrorism, and economic anxieties.
These findings come at a critical time when digital literacy and online safety have become essential skills for navigating modern life. As artificial intelligence technologies continue to advance and social media platforms maintain their central role in information dissemination, these concerns highlight the need for stronger regulatory frameworks and better educational initiatives to help citizens distinguish reliable information from falsehoods.
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8 Comments
Interesting to see the regional variations in concern about disinformation. Countries like Spain, Cyprus, and Italy seem to be particularly sensitive to these issues. I wonder what factors contribute to the higher anxiety levels in those regions.
Good point. Past history with authoritarian regimes or propaganda campaigns could play a role in heightening awareness and sensitivity to disinformation in those countries.
This survey highlights the urgent need for media literacy programs and digital citizenship education. Empowering citizens to critically evaluate online information is crucial in the fight against disinformation.
As an EU citizen, I’m not surprised by these findings. The proliferation of fake news and manipulative content online is a real problem that undermines our democratic discourse. We need robust solutions to combat this threat.
The survey results highlight how the rise of social media and AI-powered content creation has eroded public trust. Rebuilding that trust will require a concerted effort by governments, tech companies, and media outlets.
Disinformation and AI-generated fake content are serious concerns that Europeans are right to be worried about. It’s important that we stay vigilant and rely on trusted, reputable sources of information.
It’s concerning that such a large majority of Europeans express serious worries about disinformation, hate speech, and threats to freedom of expression. These are fundamental issues that need to be addressed.
The high levels of concern over data privacy and AI-generated content are understandable. Protecting individual rights and ensuring algorithmic transparency should be top priorities for policymakers.