Digital Security Barometer 2025: Finns trust the authorities, but are worried about digital scams and cyber threats

According to the Digital and Population Data Services Agency’s recent Digital Security Barometer, Finnish people’s trust in digital security has declined. Especially cyberattacks and digital scams are considered significant threats. The rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI) and its ability to process personal data also raise concerns. However, trust in the authorities, actors in the financial sector and one’s own employer has remained high.

According to the results, 38% of the respondents feel that their trust in digital security has weakened, while it has remained unchanged among more than one half (51%) of the respondents. Only 11% report that their trust has strengthened. 

Finns still find the digital world fairly safe. Ninety-one per cent consider themselves able to use digital devices and services safely, and 82% feel at least fairly safe.

“Online crime, geopolitical tension and artificial intelligence are visible in the media and affect everyday life. About 60% of citizens are now worried about cyberattacks and digital scams targeted at society, but people continue trust their own competence and the authorities. However, I find the trend worrying,” says Chief Senior Specialist Kimmo Rousku from the Digital and Population Data Services Agency.

The use of AI is becoming more common – concerns about safety

The use of artificial intelligence has rapidly become more common: one in ten Finns already use AI every day. At the same time, trust in the safety of AI has decreased slightly: only 20% believe that it processes personal data securely. Young people (26%) trust AI most, while those aged over 65 (14%) trust it least.

60% of Finns are concerned about cyber threats

In this year’s survey, respondents were asked about their attitudes towards cyber threats for the first time. Cyber threats cause widespread concern: 60% of Finns are fairly or extremely worried about cyberattacks and digital scams targeted at society. Still, 51% of the respondents believe that Finland is well prepared to prevent them. Two out of three thought that digital security is at a better level in Finland than in the other EU countries.

Trust in the authorities and employers is strong

Although concerns emerged in the study, trust in the authorities, the financial sector and one’s own employer has remained high. Eighty-seven per cent trust the authorities, 82% their employer, 71% educational institutions and 87% the financial sector. 

Compared to last year, there has been a slight decline in all sectors. An exception is trust in Finnish online stores, which has increased by two percentage points, to 75%. Only 23 % trust foreign online stores.

Implementation of the study

The Digital Security Barometer 2025 was commissioned from Vastakaiku Oy by the Digital and Population Data Services Agency. The survey was conducted in Bilendi Oy’s M3Panel in July/August 2025. A total of 1250 people responded to the survey. When weighted, it is a nationally representative sample by gender, age and residential area.

Further information

Kimmo Rousku, Chief Senior Specialist, Digital and Population Data Services Agency
tel. +358 295 535 120 / +358 50 566 2986
[email protected]

More images for the media (in Finnish).

Read the entire report of the survey (in Finnish).