49.58% Would Like To Remove Their Past Photos and Videos

Corporates, governments, and official media entities have merged into the digital world as social media has become more popular. Within a short period, every individual, group, and corporation began to flood the digital space with information. Previously, this data was private and is now available to the public.

Hence, Real Research launched a survey on the right to be forgotten, or not. The survey asks whether people would like being forgotten or being known. Likewise, the survey asks respondents if people should have the right to be forgotten or to be known. People prefer forgetting or knowing according to their life history. Here are the results.

Highlights

• 19.85% of respondents have never heard of the right to erasure
• 18.99% would like to remove their identification details
• 73.22% agree with giving the right to politicians or celebrities

Almost 74% Searched the Web To Get Personal Data of Other People

The first question asks respondents if they heard about ‘the right to be forgotten’ or the ‘right to erasure’. In answer, 80.15% say ‘yes’ and 19.85% say ‘no’.

Likewise, the second question asks if respondents ever searched the web to get the personal data of other people (not public figures)? In reply, 73.65% say ‘yes’ and 26.35% say ‘no’.

Furthermore, on the right to be forgotten or not survey, the next question asks respondents if they ever feel the urge to remove their online personal data and keep it hidden. In response, 80.20% say ‘yes’ and 19.80% say ‘no’.

Moreover, the next question asks respondents what data would they like to remove? Responses are as follows: past photos and videos (49.58%), identification details (18.99%), biometric data (8.98%), health details (6.48%), and comments on the internet (2.06%). Lastly, 1.72% chose criminal records.

77.45% Agree With Giving Criminals the ‘Right to Erasure’

In addition, the survey asks about criminals being given this right. In particular, an Indian actor demands the court remove news reports and videos about his past drunk driving. To this, 77.45% say they agree to give criminals this right. In contrast, 22.55% disagree.

Besides this, on the topic of the right to be forgotten or not, the survey asks respondents if they agree to give this right to politicians and celebrities. In reply, 73.22% agree and 26.78% disagree.

Additionally, the next question asks respondents if they have any law in their country regarding the ‘right to be forgotten or not’. In response, 58.09% say ‘yes’, 17.73% say ‘no’, and 24.17% are unsure.

62.45% Support Legislating It Because It Is Necessary to Legally Guarantee It

Carrying forth, the right to be forgotten or not survey asks what is the opinion of respondents on the legislation of this particular right? In answer, 76.85% say they support it while 23.15% say they do not.

Furthermore, the survey asks respondents why they support legislating this right? On this, 62.45% say it is necessary to legally guarantee the right to erasure. In addition, 13.83% say data of criminal damage should be removed for victims.

Likewise, 7.15% say we should stop defamation caused by false media and 6.03% say we should prevent the leakage of personal information related to privacy. Lastly, 4.97% say we should prevent harm from disinformation.

Next, the survey asks respondents why they don’t support legislating it the right? Here, 55% say it can seriously invade people’s right to know. In addition, 16.89% say we should prevent harm by disclosing. Meanwhile, 9.31% say it is very difficult to determine the permissible range of data deletion. Lastly, 9.29% say voters need to know what politicians have done in the past.

Lastly, the survey asks respondents which right should be the priority? Between the right to be forgotten or the right to be known, the majority chose the former. In detail, 64.59% chose the right to be forgotten. In contrast, 35.41% chose the right to know.