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BreakingNews.ie
19-06-2025
- Business
- BreakingNews.ie
Quarter of adults pay little or no attention to how their data is used, survey finds
A quarter of Irish adults pay little or no attention to how their personal data is used by organisations, according to a survey. Fewer than one in five people said they pay close attention to how their data is used, with just 7 per cent of 18–24s saying they pay serious attention to the use of their data. Advertisement The State's data protection watchdog published its first public attitudes survey on Thursday as it launched its annual report. The online survey of 1,034 adults was carried out by FleishmanHillard and Empathy Research in May. It indicated that there was a 'significant level of concern' about how children's personal data is being shared and used online, with 77 per cent of respondents reporting being quite/very concerned. The second highest concern was over personal data being used to create a digital profile of you, which is shared with, traded or sold to others (76 per cent). Advertisement A further 61 per cent said they were quite or very concerned about the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and how it is applied. There was a slightly lower level of concern about social media and tech companies creating profiles to personalise content, and personal data being used for targeted ads (59 per cent and 58 per cent respectively). Fewer than one in five people reported paying close attention to how their personal data is used by organisations, with around a quarter admitting to hardly any or no attention at all. 'Most people occupy a middle ground of passive awareness, and levels of engagement vary by region and social class,' the research said. Advertisement 'This suggests that, despite growing concerns over data privacy, public attention to data use by organisations remains shallow, highlighting the need for greater education and engagement efforts.' Almost three in four adults said it was either quite or very important that organisations comply with data protection requirements, even if this causes a slight delay in releasing the product or service. Just under half of respondents said they were either very or quite knowledgeable on data protection. The Data Protection Commission's annual report for 2024 showed an 11 per cent increase in data breaches last year. Advertisement Of notified data breaches, half were due to correspondence being sent to the wrong recipient. The Data Protection Commission said among the issues featuring 'prominently' was correspondence sent to incorrect recipients because of poor operational practices and human error – for example, the wrong document in an envelope addressed to an unrelated third party. The DPC said it received 7,781 valid data breaches in 2024, of which 7,346 were General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) notifications. The GDPR total was made up of 3,958 reports about the private sector, 3,137 about the public sector, and 251 from the voluntary and charity sector. Advertisement GDPR, a major part of the EU's data protection and privacy laws, regulates how people's personal data is used, stored and transferred. Ireland Data Protection Commission asked for extra €4m in... Read More Public sector bodies and banks accounted for the 'top 10' organisations with the highest number of breach notifications, while insurance and telecom companies featured prominently in the top 20. Dr Des Hogan, chairman of the Data Protection Commission, said: 'The protection of our personal data is more important than ever as our daily transactions now routinely occur through technologies. 'The DPC's wide range of activities during the last year points to how fair, consistent regulation can lead to individuals across Europe trusting that their personal data is being used in a lawful and safe manner and that they have control over their data.'
Agriland
27-05-2025
- General
- Agriland
Food waste: Contamination remains a concern with brown bins
As Ireland marks its fourth National Food Waste Recycling Week, new research highlights both the progress made in brown bin usage and the ongoing challenge of contamination. Over 200,000 new brown bins were rolled out nationwide since the start of 2024, bringing the total number of brown bin owners across Ireland to around 1.2 million. However, a recent study of over 1,000 adults reveals that despite widespread brown bin usage, contamination remains a concern, potentially compromising the quality of compost and hindering efforts towards a circular economy. Food waste The research, conducted by Empathy Research on behalf of MyWaste, found that while the vast majority of people use their brown bin (84%), confusion and occasional haste can at times lead to incorrect items being disposed of in the brown bin. 33% of survey participants admitted to knowingly putting incorrect items in their brown bin, a figure that rises to 50% among younger adults (18 to 34 year-olds). The research also highlights confusion about garden waste, with younger adults mistakenly believing stones and barbeque coals can be composted. Other common items incorrectly placed in brown bins include general waste (32%), the plastic around vegetables (26%), soft plastics (24%), and food cartons (24%). The primary reason cited for knowingly putting an item in their brown bin incorrectly was being in a hurry (38%), with lack of knowledge about what is accepted in the brown bin being the second most common reason (26%). Brown bin The brown bin service accepts all types of food including raw and cooked meat and fish, plate scrapings, along with fruit and vegetable peelings. Other items that can go into the brown bin include food-soiled paper napkins, paper towels, greasy pizza boxes as well as grass clippings and light garden waste, including hedge clippings, spent compost, and dead plants. To avoid contamination, remove all packaging from food waste and avoid adding large branches, stones, rubble, plastic plant pots, barbeque coals, or other non-compostable materials from your brown bin. Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications with responsibility for Circular Economy, Alan Dillon said he was pleased to see continued growth in brown bin usage across the country. 'By working together to reduce food waste in the first instance and minimise contamination thereafter, we can ensure that our food and garden waste is transformed into valuable compost, enriching our soil, supporting sustainable agriculture and reducing our carbon footprint,' he said. Pauline McDonogh, resource efficiency officer at MyWaste, noted that 'contamination remains a challenge', despite increasing brown bin use. This National Food Waste Recycling Week (June 1–8), is launching a new campaign to tackle this problem. 'Putting the wrong items in the brown bin can compromise the recycling process, reduce the level of compost produced. 'Let's all remember: 'No metal, no glass, no plastic makes our brown bin fantastic'. By keeping contaminants out of our brown bins, we can protect our soil and contribute to a circular economy,' McDonogh said.
