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Chart of the week
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Chart of the week

Each week, our researchers put together a new graph where we collect, analyze and visualize statistics ranging from cyberthreats to internet censorship to give you an in-depth overview of the overarching challenges facing our lives online. Explore more.
Alaska leads US states in the rate of cybercrime complaints
Cybersecurity statistics | Oct 29, 2024

Alaska leads US states in the rate of cybercrime complaints

Alaska tops the US in cybercrime complaints per 100,000 internet users, with 500+ complaints — over twice the national average
Archive
GDPR fines: can they shift data collection practices?
Digital privacy | Sep 10, 2024

GDPR fines: can they shift data collection practices?

The GDPR was expected to change invasive data collection practices because of the high fines. Since May 2018, 2,433 fines have been registered on the GDPR Enforcement Tracker, amounting to over 4.6 billion euros in total.
Most cyber incidents in France have unidentified origins
Cyberthreats | Sep 3, 2024

Most cyber incidents in France have unidentified origins

The European Repository of Cyber Incidents tracks major cyber incidents across Europe and beyond. In this week’s chart, Surfshark’s research hub looks at cyber incidents targeted at France since 2023.
Is privacy an illusion under a security camera’s watch?
Digital privacy | Aug 27, 2024

Is privacy an illusion under a security camera’s watch?

Surfshark’s study reveals that outdoor security camera apps are major data collectors, highlighting the risks of hacking and data leaks.
21 internet restrictions recorded in the first half of 2024
Digital freedom | Jul 23, 2024

21 internet restrictions recorded in the first half of 2024

In the first half of 2024, 9 countries witnessed internet restrictions, according to Surfshark’s Internet Shutdown Tracker. India took the lead, followed by Pakistan and Senegal.
One in five AI incidents relates to elections
Dystopian new tech | Jun 17, 2024

One in five AI incidents relates to elections

Surfshark’s research shows that over a fifth of all AI incidents are related to elections. Over the last year, Donald Trump was involved in 3x more AI incidents than Joe Biden.
EU’s internet usage gap in people with limited accessibility
Digital divide | May 13, 2024

EU’s internet usage gap in people with limited accessibility

To mark Global Accessibility Awareness Day, our research hub explores the staggering 17% internet usage gap among EU residents with limited accessibility and the implications of the digital divide.
Surfshark Antivirus: which cyberthreats are the most common?
Cyberthreats | Mar 26, 2024

Surfshark Antivirus: which cyberthreats are the most common?

117 malware types and over 9,000 unique threats were recorded by Surfshark Antivirus. Viruses dominate, accounting for 42% of all detected threats.
Quantum security in popular messaging apps
Dystopian new tech | Mar 19, 2024

Quantum security in popular messaging apps

Surfshark has assessed 12 widely used messaging apps to determine their quantum security status, identifying only two that would be capable of withstanding quantum hacking attempts.
Mobile shopping spending increased 3x in South Korea
Digital divide | Mar 12, 2024

Mobile shopping spending increased 3x in South Korea

South Korea saw growth in online shopping in the last 7 years due to a more than 3x increase in mobile shopping. The highest spending was related to food, while travel and e-coupon spending grew the most.
Women dominate science and tech sectors in most of the EU
Digital divide | Mar 5, 2024

Women dominate science and tech sectors in most of the EU

Celebrate International Women's Day with our latest study, which reveals surprising dynamics: despite varying levels of gender equality, women are leading the way in science and technology in most EU countries.
Americans lost $1.56B in crypto to fraud in 2023
Cyberthreats | Feb 27, 2024

Americans lost $1.56B in crypto to fraud in 2023

Surfshark looks at data from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and reveals how much crypto has been lost to fraud in 2023 and what types of scams people should watch out for.
$737M lost to fake job offers in the US since 2019
Cyberthreats | Feb 20, 2024

$737M lost to fake job offers in the US since 2019

Americans have lost $737M to fake job offers. Surfshark takes a detailed look at the statistics and advises how to spot employment scams.
Data of almost 80k Facebook users leaked
Cybersecurity statistics | Feb 20, 2024

Data of almost 80k Facebook users leaked

80k Facebook users had their details leaked. Check out Surfshark’s chart of the week to learn which countries were affected the most and what the dangers of this leak are.
Dangerous permissions in adult toy apps
Digital privacy | Feb 13, 2024

Dangerous permissions in adult toy apps

On average, adult toy apps request 22 permissions. Among these, the investigated apps require 13 different types of permissions deemed as dangerous, including reading external storage, recording audio, precise location tracking, and more.
High digital life quality doesn't always shield kids online
Cyberthreats | Feb 6, 2024

High digital life quality doesn't always shield kids online

To mark Safer Internet Day, this study connects the Children's Online Safety Index with the Digital Quality of Life and the KidsRights Indexes, examining their influence on children's global online safety.
2023 was a record year for AI incidents
Dystopian new tech | Jan 23, 2024

2023 was a record year for AI incidents

Surfshark’s research shows 2023 had the largest number of AI incidents so far. OpenAI and Microsoft led in the number of AI incidents.
Credit card fraud: leading issue in US identity theft
Cyberthreats | Jan 16, 2024

Credit card fraud: leading issue in US identity theft

In the advancing digital era, credit card fraud has emerged as a predominant financial threat in the US. Discover the evolving trends from 2020 to 2023 with Surfshark's Chart of the Week.
How common are internet restrictions during elections?
Digital freedom | Jan 9, 2024

How common are internet restrictions during elections?

In 2024, 90 countries will hold elections. In some of them, governments may tighten control over the web. Learn more in Surfshark’s Chart of the Week.
2023 cybersecurity wrapped: from crypto scams to AI risks
Cybersecurity statistics | Jan 2, 2024

2023 cybersecurity wrapped: from crypto scams to AI risks

Dive into the cybersecurity landscape of 2023 with our discoveries. Read about doubled crypto scam losses and navigate global data breach trends. Explore password leaks and companies affected by AI incidents.
Digital freedom wrapped: here’s what happened in 2023
Digital freedom | Dec 27, 2023

Digital freedom wrapped: here’s what happened in 2023

In terms of digital freedom, 2023 had its ups and downs. Surfshark's Research Hub is here to guide you through it — let's take a moment and review what happened in 2023.
Holiday tech gifts: how data-hungry are they?
Digital privacy | Dec 19, 2023

Holiday tech gifts: how data-hungry are they?

Unveil the data privacy practices of trending Christmas tech gifts. From smartwatches to gaming devices, Surfshark's study delves into the often-overlooked privacy policies of accompanying apps.
Holiday shopping alert: retail breaches exposed
Cybersecurity statistics | Dec 12, 2023

Holiday shopping alert: retail breaches exposed

Since 2020, data breaches in the retail sector have impacted 280M accounts worldwide. A Surfshark study reveals the biggest retail breaches and identifies the countries that were affected the most.
$1.45B lost over Online Shopping Fraud in 5 years
Cyberthreats | Dec 5, 2023

$1.45B lost over Online Shopping Fraud in 5 years

Since 2019, 1.7M Online Shopping Fraud cases have been reported in the US. Roughly half of the Online Shopping Fraud victims encountered financial losses, totaling $1.45B.
Global social media restrictions by duration
Digital freedom | Nov 28, 2023

Global social media restrictions by duration

50 countries have restricted access to social media platforms amid political turmoil. Some restrictions have lasted for 14 years. Find out more in Surfshark’s chart of the week.
Meta’s paid subscription — is it GDPR compliant?
Digital privacy | Nov 21, 2023

Meta’s paid subscription — is it GDPR compliant?

How compliant with the GDPR is Meta’s new paid subscription model? Is it legal to ask users to pay for their privacy? Surfshark’s Head of Legal provides insights into this.
How much do crypto apps know about you?
Digital privacy | Nov 14, 2023

How much do crypto apps know about you?

Anonymity is the basis of cryptocurrency, but how anonymous are the apps that you use to manage your crypto assets? Surfshark reveals how much data the 15 most popular cryptocurrency apps collect.
⅓ of social media's GDPR fines linked to children
Digital privacy | Nov 7, 2023

⅓ of social media's GDPR fines linked to children

The most popular social media platforms fined over €2.9 billion for GDPR breaches, out of which €765 million was for inadequate protection of children’s data.
Shortcomings in countries with best digital quality of life
Digital divide | Oct 30, 2023

Shortcomings in countries with best digital quality of life

Surfshark’s Digital Quality of Life Index evaluates countries’ digital wellbeing based on 5 core pillars. This week, Surfshark examines the top 10 countries in the Index and uncovers their key weaknesses
Data protection levels in democracies and autocracies
Digital privacy | Oct 24, 2023

Data protection levels in democracies and autocracies

Democratic countries tend to have good data protection laws, such as the GDPR. Unfortunately, in 98% of autocratic countries, data protection levels are lower than average.
Unmasking 2022's US social engineering scam toll
Cybersecurity statistics | Oct 17, 2023

Unmasking 2022's US social engineering scam toll

Social engineering scams compromise the online security of millions and result in substantial financial losses. Surfshark's analysis unveils key insights into social engineering scams in the US.
Global internet divide in 2023
Digital divide | Oct 10, 2023

Global internet divide in 2023

In lower-income countries, people work up to 4 times more than people in wealthier countries. Moreover, poor countries have, on average, a 3 times slower internet connection.
43% of countries are left behind in e-infrastructure
Digital divide | Oct 3, 2023

43% of countries are left behind in e-infrastructure

As the global growth of internet users begins to stagnate, Surfshark takes a look at the level of e-infrastructure in 121 countries, revealing that 43% of countries are left behind.
Facebook pages are the most delisted from Google Search
Digital privacy | Sep 26, 2023

Facebook pages are the most delisted from Google Search

Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube are the top three domains from which Europeans most frequently have their pages delisted from Google Search results via the “right to be forgotten” privacy law.
Data-hungry language apps: who learns more, you or the app?
Digital privacy | Sep 19, 2023

Data-hungry language apps: who learns more, you or the app?

The recent Duolingo data breach impacted 2.68M users worldwide. Surfshark's analysis reveals which of the most popular language learning apps collect an extensive amount of your personal data.
Internet restrictions during African elections
Digital freedom | Sep 12, 2023

Internet restrictions during African elections

Since 2015, twenty African countries have restricted the internet during elections. Surfshark’s chart of the week reveals the countries responsible for this and elections to look out for in the coming months.
North Americans are the most affected by password leaks
Cybersecurity statistics | Sep 5, 2023

North Americans are the most affected by password leaks

Globally, 9.5B passwords have been leaked with email addresses since 2004. North America leads with 3 passwords leaked per email address.
Top countries in digital quality of life in the past 3 years
Digital divide | Aug 29, 2023

Top countries in digital quality of life in the past 3 years

With the upcoming Digital Quality of Life Index 2023, Surfshark takes a look at the top countries in the index for the past 3 years.
US was hit the hardest by the Duolingo data leak
Cybersecurity statistics | Aug 29, 2023

US was hit the hardest by the Duolingo data leak

2.7M Duolingo users’ emails were leaked and are now sold online. The US was the most affected country by the Duolingo data leak, with almost 1 million accounts compromised.
What digital footprints are generated when using apps?
Digital privacy | Aug 22, 2023

What digital footprints are generated when using apps?

Surfshark’s chart of the week shows an average smartphone user might generate up to 188 digital footprints each day using just nine apps.
Health data breaches have been rising in the US
Cybersecurity statistics | Aug 16, 2023

Health data breaches have been rising in the US

Since 2009, there has been a clear upward trend in health data breaches, and 392 cases have already been reported by organizations this year. Surfshark takes a look at US health data breaches over the years.
89% of the APAC population has faced internet restrictions
Digital freedom | Aug 8, 2023

89% of the APAC population has faced internet restrictions

28 APAC countries/territories have restricted the internet since 2015. The restrictions occurred either during protests, elections, other political turmoil, or because of internet laws.
US TikTok users unconcerned about mental health impact
Digital privacy | Aug 1, 2023

US TikTok users unconcerned about mental health impact

Surfshark’s study shows less than a quarter of those who find TikTok addictive believe they experience negative mental health effects, compared to almost half respondents who don't.
Potential privacy issues of Threads
Digital privacy | Jul 25, 2023

Potential privacy issues of Threads

Surfshark’s privacy counsel Gabriele Kaveckyte takes a deep dive into the data collection practices of Threads and presents three potential flaws.
US crypto scam losses nearly doubled in 2022
Cybersecurity statistics | Jul 18, 2023

US crypto scam losses nearly doubled in 2022

Surfshark examined the FBI’s data and found that in 2022, crypto scam losses nearly doubled in the US. One state saw a staggering 84-fold increase. Find out more with Surfshark’s chart of the week.
Surfshark celebrating shark awareness day with Shark Trust
Cybersecurity statistics | Jul 11, 2023

Surfshark celebrating shark awareness day with Shark Trust

Surfshark is celebrating Shark Awareness Day together with Shark Trust. Phishing continues to be the most common cybercrime, but it still has 100x fewer victims compared to sharks fished in the seas.
A third of all AI incidents since 2010 linked to 5 companies
Dystopian new tech | Jul 4, 2023

A third of all AI incidents since 2010 linked to 5 companies

Amazon, Google, Facebook, Tesla, and OpenAI are mentioned in the most reported AI incidents since 2010. In 2023, OpenAI leads in the number of incident mentions.
The start of this decade marks a sharp rise in AI incidents
Dystopian new tech | Jun 27, 2023

The start of this decade marks a sharp rise in AI incidents

Surfshark examines the timeline of AI incidents, revealing an upward trend in the last few decades. 2023 is predicted to have the largest number of AI incidents.
Nearly half of US TikTok users worry about their privacy
Digital privacy | Jun 20, 2023

Nearly half of US TikTok users worry about their privacy

Nearly half of US TikTok users worry about their privacy, while views differ among generations. Learn more with Surfshark’s chart of the week.
Ukraine’s invasion and data breaches
Cybersecurity statistics | Jun 13, 2023

Ukraine’s invasion and data breaches

Unpack the connection between the Russo-Ukrainian war and data breaches with Surfshark’s chart of the week.
Average losses of crypto scams in the US
Cybersecurity statistics | Jun 6, 2023

Average losses of crypto scams in the US

$2.3B was lost to crypto scams in the US in 2022. The average loss was $86k per victim. Find out more with Surfshark’s chart of the week.
Baltic States and Ukraine lead in cybersecurity
Cybersecurity statistics | May 30, 2023

Baltic States and Ukraine lead in cybersecurity

Examining cybersecurity in countries formerly occupied by the Soviet Union: the Baltic states and Ukraine are in the lead.
1 in 3 American TikTok users would support its ban
Digital freedom | May 23, 2023

1 in 3 American TikTok users would support its ban

1 in 3 American TikTok users would support a ban on the platform, but the level of support varies among different generations. Find out more with Surfshark’s chart of the week.
ChatGPT’s privacy issues
Digital privacy | May 16, 2023

ChatGPT’s privacy issues

Surfshark’s privacy counsel takes a deep dive into ChatGPT’s data collection and uncovers some potential flaws.
Cybercrime against children is on the rise
Cybersecurity statistics | May 9, 2023

Cybercrime against children is on the rise

Surfshark examines cybercrime against children from 2015 to 2022, revealing alarming statistics on the number of victims affected and their financial losses.
Cyberattacks on government agencies
Cyberthreats | May 3, 2023

Cyberattacks on government agencies

Surfshark reveals there have been 722 cyberattacks on government agencies since 2006. The chart shows a rising trend in cyber espionage in 2023.
Messaging app restrictions around the world
Digital freedom | Apr 24, 2023

Messaging app restrictions around the world

53 countries have restricted access to messaging apps since 2015. Surfshark reveals which countries have done so and which apps are affected the most.
VPN restrictions around the world
Digital freedom | Apr 17, 2023

VPN restrictions around the world

Catch all of the latest insights into global VPN restrictions and find out which countries and regions have regulated VPN usage, presently or in the past.