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A 2024 Okta survey of consumers in France, Germany, the Netherlands and the UK found that greater awareness of digital identity did not remove people’s concerns or make online account access feel effortless. As reported by Computer Weekly on 12 July 2024, 54% said their awareness of their digital footprint had improved over the previous 12 months, while 93% said they worried about digital identity theft. The findings describe survey responses, not a current estimate for all Europeans or a measurement of actual account security.
What the survey found
Okta’s 2024 European customer identity survey included more than 4,000 consumers—approximately 1,000 each in France, Germany, the Netherlands and the UK, according to Computer Weekly’s account. The results show a mix of rising awareness, persistent concern and everyday friction with online accounts.
| Survey finding | Reported result |
|---|---|
| Worried about digital identity theft | 93% of respondents |
| Said awareness of their digital footprint improved in the previous 12 months | 54% |
| Cited rising cyberattack volumes as a reason for increased awareness | 39% |
| Cited AI growth as a reason for increased awareness | 28% |
| Believed AI was increasing the likelihood of attacks targeting and stealing digital identities | 59% |
| Thought AI was making the online environment less safe | 56% |
| Said they used different passwords for every online account | 42% |
| Said they used the same password for everything | 11% |
| Said they were frustrated when logging into online accounts | 72% |
| Said they would be very likely to spend more if logins were simple, secure and frictionless | 49% |
All figures in the table are responses from the four-country Okta survey as reported by Computer Weekly in 2024; they are not independently audited measurements of identity theft, security practices or spending.
Awareness and worry can rise together
More than half of respondents said they had become more aware of their digital footprint over the prior year, but nearly all said they worried about digital identity theft. The findings therefore suggest that awareness and a sense of safety are not the same thing: knowing more about one’s online presence does not mean feeling protected from misuse.
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Some respondents connected their increased awareness with rising cyberattack volumes or AI growth. Those are reported explanations and beliefs. The survey figures do not establish that AI caused identity attacks, or that respondents’ perceptions correspond to measured changes in attack rates.
Password intentions do not guarantee consistent habits
Only 42% said they used a different password for every account, while 11% said they reused the same password everywhere. The survey thus records a gap between the security practice of unique passwords and the habits respondents reported. It does not independently verify how people actually manage their accounts, and the 11% figure should not be converted into a precise count of people outside the survey.
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Why logging in feels frustrating
Seventy-two percent of respondents said they were frustrated when logging into online accounts. Meanwhile, 49% said they would be very likely to spend more if login processes were simple, secure and frictionless. Together, these responses show a tension for digital services: people want easier access while also worrying about identity theft. The survey does not test specific login designs or show that reducing friction by itself improves security or spending.
Okta’s Matt Ellard, senior vice-president and general manager for EMEA, characterized identity as “the entrance to any experience in a digital-first world.” He also said business leaders need to adopt a rigorous security strategy and work culture in the era of AI. These are Okta’s views, not independent conclusions established by the survey.
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How to read these results
- Keep the geography in view: the reported sample covers France, Germany, the Netherlands and the UK, not all of Europe or the world.
- Treat percentages as self-reports: the published account describes what respondents said or believed, not observed attack rates or verified account practices.
- Do not infer cause from concern: views about AI risk are perceptions, not proof that AI caused identity theft.
- Separate intention from action: wanting to improve security or preferring easier login does not demonstrate that behavior changed.
Computer Weekly’s 12 July 2024 story is the available account of the results. It does not provide the primary survey report or establish the exact question wording, sampling method, weighting or uncertainty measures, so the percentages are best read as reported findings rather than precise population estimates.
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- FAST & CONVENIENT LOGIN: Plug in your Security Key C NFC via USB-C and tap it, or tap it against your phone (NFC) to authenticate. No batteries, no internet connection, and no extra fees required.
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- WORKS WITH 1000+ ACCOUNTS: Compatible with Google, Microsoft, and Apple. A single Security Key NFC secures 100 of your favorite accounts, including email, password managers, and more.
- FAST & CONVENIENT LOGIN: Plug in your Security Key NFC via USB-A and tap it, or tap it against your phone (NFC) to authenticate. No batteries, no internet connection, and no extra fees required.
- TRUSTED PASSKEY TECHNOLOGY: Uses the latest passkey standards (FIDO2/WebAuthn & FIDO U2F) but does not support One-Time Passwords. For complex needs, check out the YubiKey 5 Series.
- BUILT TO LAST: Made from tough, waterproof, and crush-resistant materials. Manufactured in Sweden and programmed in the USA with the highest security standards.
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