Older adults’ perception of digital surveillance by civil society organisations: disappointment and protective practices

The growing adoption of digital information and communications technologies (ICTs) has increased the potential for surveillance of their users by both public and private entities. Older adults’ perceptions of such surveillance have not yet been adequately explored, especially with regard to the lesser-known surveillance agents, such as civil society organisations (CSOs). Including older adults in studies related to their adoption of ICTs is critical for mitigating digital ageism as well as for understanding the factors that affect the (non-)adoption of digital technology by a population that is typically under-represented in studies of technology use. In order to address this gap, in late 2023 the Aging in Data project conducted an online survey of older internet users on their perceptions and practices related to digital surveillance by six agents (corporations, governments, CSOs, employers, bad actors and individuals) in six countries (Austria, Canada, Israel, the Netherlands, Romania and Spain). Through descriptive statistical analyses and structural equation modelling, this article analyses the extent to which older adults feel digitally monitored by CSOs. Our results show that even though older adults perceive less surveillance by CSOs than by other agents, they evaluate it more negatively. Moreover, perceived surveillance is positively linked to digital protective practices. Our findings indicate that sociodemographics, such as age, gender and educational level, are less relevant in determining older adults’ perceptions with regard to surveillance by CSOs than their digital practices, conspiracy mentality and level of technostress.