ICO survey finds 27% report declining trust in organisations storing personal data

The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has published the findings of its latest survey examining public attitudes towards information rights. The survey of 7,801 UK adults was conducted by Savanta between January and February 2026. The research reveals rising public awareness of information rights and the ICO, alongside growing anxiety regarding data privacy.

Awareness of information rights reached 77%, while satisfaction with how organisations handle rights requests rose to 64% from 61% in 2025 and 54% in 2024. The overall exercising of rights remained at 76%, the same as in 2024 and 2025. Public awareness of the ICO increased to 64%, up from 57% in 2025

On sentiment surrounding the privacy of personal information, 51% expressed caution, while the proportion of people feeling informed fell to a three-year low of 15%, and anxiety rose to 17%. Meanwhile, trust in formal sources of advice declined, with reliance on official government websites dropping from 40% in 2024 to 36%, and trust in data protection experts falling from 45% in 2025 to 41%. 

Although 57% of respondents maintain at least moderate trust in organisations storing their personal data, 27% reported a decline in trust over the past year. The primary drivers of trust in organisations remain reputation and familiarity, influencing 64% and 62% of respondents, respectively, compared with 51% who are influenced by ICO regulatory action, guidance and enforcement.

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