The article discusses the integral role of the internet in the daily lives of Europeans, highlighting their use of online platforms for social interaction, shopping, finance, education, and religious content. However, it raises significant concerns about the negative aspects of advancing social technologies.
A Eurobarometer survey of over 26,000 respondents from 27 EU countries revealed that 69% expressed high concern about disinformation, while similar percentages worried about hate speech, AI-generated fake content, data privacy, and threats to freedom of expression. Spain reported the highest concern regarding disinformation at 85%, followed by Cyprus and Italy.
Online hate speech is a primary worry in France and Croatia, while citizens in the Netherlands, Finland, and several other countries are particularly alarmed by false content from AI tools. Southern and Eastern European nations exhibited greater concern about data privacy.
Additionally, issues like media independence received varied attention across the EU, with the highest concerns noted in Southern Europe. Overall, the article indicates that Mediterranean and Eastern Europeans feel more pessimistic about the impact of online communication technologies compared to their Northern counterparts. The full Eurobarometer results encompass various topics, reflecting broader sentiments about the EU, war, terrorism, and the economy.
