The research, which was based on a sample of more than 2,000 people carried out online by Harris Interactive between 6th May and 18th May 2021, focused on people’s attitudes to data protection and freedom of information.

Less than three in 10 ( 28%) people said they had high trust and confidence in companies and organisations storing and using their personal information, although a similar proportion ( 29%) said they had low trust and confidence.

Trust and confidence were significantly higher among 18 to 34-year-olds ( 39%) than those aged between 35 and 54 ( 29%) and over 55-years-old ( 18%), according to the survey.

The research found that the public’s trust and confidence in companies andorganisations storing and using their personal data remained “largely stable” in 2021 comapred with the previous year.

Overall, 77% of respondents felt protecting their personal information was essential, although half said they had seen an increased in unwanted marketing calls in the past year.

Elizabeth Denham, information commissioner, said: “At its core, data protection is about trust. Over the past five years, we have seen real growth in the number of people with high trust and confidence in how businesses and organisations process personal information.

“To maintain high levels of trust, organisations must maintain high standards in all areas of data protection, from the use of pioneering technology through to the basics of data retention and destruction.”