illustration: Bing/CopilotWillingness to share data depends on age, gender, education, and place of residence. Younger individuals and those with higher education are more likely to disclose information, as are men when it comes to permanent discounts and women for one-time promotions. Residents of large cities are more cautious than those from smaller towns.
The most popular benefits that encourage individuals to provide sensitive data include:
- permanent (35%) or one-time (31%) discounts/promotions.
- free products/services (27%),
- free apps/accounts (22%),
- exclusive content (16%),
- personalized offers (15%).
What Data Do We Share and What Are the Risks?
The study by ChronPESEL.pl and the National Debt Register shows that the prospect of gaining additional benefits encourages Polish internet users to share:
- email address (80%),
- first and last name (59%),
- phone number (55%),
- residential address (33%),
- PESEL number (8%),
- identity card number (7%).
Experts warn that sharing email addresses, names, and phone numbers can create risks of phishing and account takeover.
– If this is a special email address that we use, for example, only for shopping or using services, it`s not a problem. It’s worse if we use the same address daily and have provided it, for example, to our bank – warns Bartłomiej Drozd, an expert from ChronPESEL.pl, as quoted by the NEWSERIA agency. – If an email, name, and phone number leak into the hands of cybercriminals, they may attempt to reset passwords and use recovery procedures to take over a bank account.
Despite educational campaigns, 2.4 million Poles do not see the dangers associated with sharing their PESEL number. Some mistakenly believe that blocking their PESEL protects them from all obligations.
A study conducted in April 2024 on a representative group of 1,016 Poles shows that Poles are increasingly aware of the need to protect their personal data, but there is still a need for education regarding the risks associated with sharing data, especially their PESEL number.
COMMERCIAL BREAK
New articles in section Law in media
Blood in the world of media. The IFJ report on journalists killed in 2025
KFi
The International Federation of Journalists has published a shocking document titled 2025 Killed List Report. The increase in violence against media workers is visible all over the world. Last year, 128 people lost their lives. They die because of their courage in revealing facts that authorities try to hide.
Ai in disinformation. Operation Matryoshka and personalization of fakes
Anna Mikołajczyk-Kłębek
The increasing use of artificial intelligence to generate false content and profiled disinformation are trends that will shape the disinformation landscape in the coming years, according to Dr. Wojciech Kotowicz, an expert from the University of Warmia and Mazury (UWM) in Olsztyn, Poland.
Dietary supplement ads in Poland. Who keeps influencers in check?
Newseria, KFi
One in three Polish internet users considers influencer recommendations when deciding on medicines and dietary supplements. Although promotion of such products is regulated, there are still cases of advertising that skirt the law.
See articles on a similar topic:
Hate in the Polish Internet. IRCenter Study
Krzysztof Fiedorek
The proportion of hate speech victims is inversely proportional to the age of internet users. The study authors point out that this is directly influenced by the fact that older generations are instilled with the principles of respectful discussion and use the internet less frequently.
Local Media in Poland - Workshop and Ethics
Bartłomiej Dwornik
Every day, journalists face the dilemma of whether to report on something or to omit it. Where does information end, and where does violation of privacy begin?
Big Data in Poland. Companies Lack Ideas for Data Utilization
KF
Only 11 to 16 percent of domestic companies report using Big Data solutions, according to a survey by OVH and Intel. Among companies that have not yet used Big Data, only 2 percent plan to adopt this technology this year. Meanwhile, nearly all large and small companies admit to collecting customer data.
Illusory Security. Small and Medium Enterprises Easy Targets for Cybercrime
KF
35% of micro, small, and medium enterprises (SMEs) fear the theft of their employees' personal data. This comes from research conducted on behalf of ChronPESEL.pl and the National Debt Register of Poland.




























