According to a survey of adults in the United Kingdom (UK) from in December 2024, 84 percent of respondents would clean their personal data from an old device. Additionally, eight percent said they would not do that, and another eight percent said they were not sure.
Share of adults in the United Kingdom (UK) wiping personal data from an old device as of December 2024
Characteristic
Share of respondents
I would not wipe my personal data before getting rid of an old device or tech product
8%
I would wipe my personal data before getting rid of an old device or tech product
The survey question was phrased by the source as follows: "Which of the following is closest to your view when it comes to getting rid of an old device or tech product and wiping personal data? By wiping, we mean erasing all personal information from the device to keep others from accessing it."
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Information Commissioner's Office. (December 19, 2024). Share of adults in the United Kingdom (UK) wiping personal data from an old device as of December 2024 [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved June 08, 2025, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/1559298/uk-adults-wiping-personal-information-old-device/
Information Commissioner's Office. "Share of adults in the United Kingdom (UK) wiping personal data from an old device as of December 2024." Chart. December 19, 2024. Statista. Accessed June 08, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1559298/uk-adults-wiping-personal-information-old-device/
Information Commissioner's Office. (2024). Share of adults in the United Kingdom (UK) wiping personal data from an old device as of December 2024. Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: June 08, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1559298/uk-adults-wiping-personal-information-old-device/
Information Commissioner's Office. "Share of Adults in The United Kingdom (Uk) Wiping Personal Data from An Old Device as of December 2024." Statista, Statista Inc., 19 Dec 2024, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1559298/uk-adults-wiping-personal-information-old-device/
Information Commissioner's Office, Share of adults in the United Kingdom (UK) wiping personal data from an old device as of December 2024 Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1559298/uk-adults-wiping-personal-information-old-device/ (last visited June 08, 2025)
Share of adults in the United Kingdom (UK) wiping personal data from an old device as of December 2024 [Graph], Information Commissioner's Office, December 19, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1559298/uk-adults-wiping-personal-information-old-device/
