Canada
US data protection: Online habits and data breaches
ProtonVPN’s survey reveals US online data protection habits and how common data breaches are.
As an organization building an internet where privacy is the default, Proton are always interested in how people protect themselves and their data online. They asked 1,000 randomly selected people over the age of 16 questions about their online habits to reveal what the average US citizen is doing to secure their online data.
The survey results indicate just how common data breaches are, which data people are most concerned about being exposed, as well as the level of protection individuals use to keep their information safe.
ProtonVPN have highlighted the key findings from the survey below.
Gmail is the most common email provider, but iCloud is popular among people under 25
The survey asked respondents which email provider and internet browsers they used most.
Gmail came out on top as the most popular email provider, with 73.71% of respondents using a Gmail account.
Apple’s email service, part of the iCloud suite, was the fourth most popular overall. However, the results showed a sharp increase in iCloud accounts within the 16 to 24-year-old age bracket (over 18% had an iCloud account compared to under 10% of those above this age range), signaling a conspicuous appeal to the younger generation.
When evaluating email service providers, it’s important to consider their track record as well as the protections they have in place. Some email providers, such as Yahoo and Outlook, have suffered major data breaches. Other email providers, such as Gmail, have a good security record but scan your emails, track your purchasing habits, and share access to your messages with third parties. And, unfortunately, none of these popular providers, including Apple’s email service, offer end-to-end encryption or zero-access encryption.
ProtonMail uses zero-access encryption on all emails so that we cannot read your messages, meaning no third parties can read them either. It also means that even if there were a data breach, your messages would remain secure.
Most providers do now offer two-factor authentication for their logins, and you should always use this security measure. However, 2FA by itself won’t always be enough to protect your account, depending on the type of breach. It also cannot prevent your provider from selling or sharing your data. For a more private email experience, you need to use an encrypted service, such as ProtonMail, that protects all messages.
For internet browsers, Google Chrome came out on top with 63.45% of people using Chrome as their day-to-day browser, while Safari came second with 26.29% of people using Apple’s chosen browser as their main search provider.
Many people use Big Tech services simply because they come preinstalled on their devices or offer name recognition and speed. Yet these services are built on a business model of exploiting your data for advertising purposes, which is at odds with privacy. This is especially true with browsers, which is why using alternative services that minimize data collection is the best way to find what you’re looking for while handing over the least amount of information.
72% of people admit to using public WiFi networks without adequate security measures, despite privacy warnings
Though many may feel they are as careful as possible with their online security, do we give this as much thought when we are on our phones or on the move?
Chances are, when you have been out grabbing dinner, on holiday, or working from a coffee shop, you’ve logged into a public WiFi network. Our survey revealed that over 72% of people use public WiFi networks, despite the risks they pose to your privacy.
These WiFi networks often will make you agree to terms and conditions that allow them to monitor your browsing and link to your email so that they can sell that data to advertisers.
Having a trustworthy VPN running on your device can help with this issue, as the VPN encrypts your data, preventing the network operator from monitoring your online browsing.
Over a quarter of people surveyed had their data exposed in a breach
As part of the survey, we additionally asked respondents to enter their main email address into a website called haveibeenpwnd.com. This website is free to use and checks whether an email address has been exposed in an online breach.
Our survey found that 25.8% of people have had their data exposed in a breach online at least once. Over 10% hadn’t even realized this was the case before checking for the survey.
The website also checks if your email address has been subject to a “paste”. “Pasting” is a type of data breach where hackers copy and paste personal information, such as email addresses, names, passwords, and so forth, on specific websites, like PasteBin. This makes it much easier for others to obtain and share a person’s data. 20% of people who took part in our survey found that their personal information had been subject to “pastes”.
We asked respondents to specify the type of information they found being exposed the most. Three kinds of data were especially common:
- Email Addresses (57.19%)
- Passwords (38.36%)
- Usernames (33.22%)
The survey also asked respondents to specify the type of companies that had been breached. The social media industry had the highest percentages of people affected by a data breach (42.12%), followed by gaming (25%) and tech-based websites (20.55%).
A larger breakdown can be seen below:
| Social media | 42.12% |
| Gaming | 25.00% |
| Technology | 20.55% |
| E-commerce | 18.84% |
| Lifestyle | 17.81% |
| Banking | 17.12% |
| Creative | 11.64% |
| Fitness | 10.96% |
| Adult industry | 8.56% |
Unfortunately, there isn’t much anyone can do when an external company suffers a data breach. People trust that a company or website has as much security in place as possible to keep their online data safe. This is not always the case, and even companies with high security levels have suffered large data breaches.
Most large social media platforms have suffered data breaches, including Facebook in 2019 and TikTok, Instagram, and Youtube, where the information of millions of users has been exposed. In this case, there is nothing more these individuals could have done to protect their data.
If people are worried about their information being exposed from websites such as social media, sharing as little personal data as possible on these accounts will reduce the amount of data at risk in any potential breach.
82% of people are concerned about having their personal data exposed in a breach, but less than 21% would change their online habits
The team at ProtonVPN wanted to find out not just what information has been exposed online, but ultimately what information people are most concerned about being exposed.
The survey revealed that the three types of information people are most concerned about being exposed in a breach are:
- Bank details (54%)
- Passwords (43.53%)
- Physical addresses (18.13%)
Overall, 82% of people admitted to being worried about having their information exposed in online data breaches.
However, when we asked the same survey respondents about the precautions they take to protect themselves and their data online, their responses did not match this level of concern:
- Less than 23% of people said they read privacy policies to ensure their data will not be sold to third parties.
- Less than 20% of people said they have two-factor authentication (2FA) set up on all accounts, which keeps your accounts safe if your password is stolen or exposed.
- Moreover, when asked after taking the survey whether they plan to do anything more to keep themselves protected online, only 20.82% said they plan to do so.
But for those who want to take extra precautions, what more can you do to make sure they keep their data and online usage as private and secure as possible?
Steps you can take to protect yourself
Though a company data breach is not something an individual can protect themselves from, there are several precautions you can take to keep your data and online usage as secure as possible.
The security experts at ProtonVPN have given their tips on what to do if you are worried about your data being exposed online:
- Where possible, set up 2FA and extra steps to sign in to ensure your accounts are as safe as possible. With 2FA, even if someone obtains your login details, they will not be able to access your account without also having access to your second authentication pass.
- Don’t sign up for or share personal information with a website or service unless it is strictly necessary. We know that this is not easy with social media. However, we recommend sharing as little personal information as possible.
- When checking out, always untick any boxes that ask if they can keep your payment information for the next time you shop.
- Make sure all your passwords are different for each of your accounts, which is made easier by using a password manager. This means that if your data is obtained on one website’s data breach, hackers will not have access to your other accounts.
Sources and Methodology
Based on a survey of 1,000 US citizens aged 16 and over and picked at random from across the US, which took place in November 2021.
Censuswide conducted this survey on behalf of ProtonVPN.
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Canada
What Canadian Slot Players Are Really Comparing in 2026: Payout Speed, Interac and RTP Transparency
Canadian online slot players are becoming more practical.
The old conversion model was simple: show a big welcome bonus, list a few popular games, and hope the player clicked through. That still has a place, but it no longer reflects how better-informed casino players compare sites in 2026.
The conversation has shifted.
Players are now asking sharper questions before they deposit. How fast can I cash out? Does the casino support Interac? Are the best games actually available in Canada? What happens after I win? Are the slot terms clear? Can I see RTP information without digging through a help centre?
For operators, affiliates and suppliers watching the Canadian market, this change matters. The slot player is not just bonus-led anymore. The player is becoming banking-led, payout-led and value-led.
Payout speed has become a decision factor
Withdrawal speed is one of the biggest practical differences between online casinos.
Many casinos still market themselves around welcome packages, but the post-win experience is where trust is won or lost. Players notice pending periods. They notice extra verification steps. They notice whether withdrawals are processed quickly or whether the process feels deliberately slow.
That is why comparison behaviour around fastest payout casinos in Canada has become more commercially important. A casino can have a large slot library and a generous bonus, but if the payout process is slow, many experienced players will look elsewhere.
This is especially true for slot players. Slots create quick sessions, frequent bonus rounds and unpredictable payout moments. A player who wins on a Friday night does not want to discover that the casino only starts reviewing cashouts on Monday.
Fast payout positioning is not just a payment feature. It is a trust signal.
Interac remains central to the Canadian player journey
Interac is still one of the most important payment expectations in Canada.
For many players, it feels familiar, local and practical. It connects online casino banking with everyday Canadian banking behaviour. That matters because casino payments are a high-friction moment. Players may be comfortable browsing games, comparing bonuses and reading reviews, but depositing money is where hesitation appears.
Clear information about Interac casino payments helps reduce that hesitation.
The most useful casino pages now explain more than whether Interac is accepted. They answer questions such as:
- Is Interac available for deposits only, or withdrawals too?
- Are there minimum and maximum limits?
- Does account verification affect payout speed?
- Are e-Transfer withdrawals supported?
- Are there fees? Is Interac treated differently by province or operator?
This level of detail is valuable because Canadian players are not just asking “Can I pay?” They are asking “Can I deposit, play, withdraw and trust the process?”
That is a much more commercial question.
RTP transparency is becoming part of player value
RTP has always existed as a technical concept, but it is becoming more visible in player decision-making.
A casual player may not calculate long-term return percentages before every spin. But more players now understand that slot choice matters. They know that some games are more volatile, some bonuses are harder to clear, and some titles publish better long-term return figures than others.
This is why content around high-RTP slots is becoming more useful when it is presented properly.
The weak version of RTP content is an educational glossary: “RTP means return to player.” That is not enough anymore.
The stronger version connects RTP to actual player behaviour:
- Which high-RTP games are worth knowing?
- Which casinos offer strong slot libraries?
- How does volatility affect the player experience?
- Does the bonus structure make a high-RTP game less valuable?
- Are high-RTP slots available on mobile?
- Can Canadian players access the games easily?
RTP transparency does not mean players expect to beat the casino. It means they want clearer information before choosing where and what to play.
Mobile play is raising expectations
Canadian slot players are heavily mobile-led.
That changes the comparison process. A player may research on desktop, but the actual deposit and session often happen on a phone. If the casino lobby is slow, payment forms are clunky, or game filters do not work well on mobile, the player experience suffers.
Mobile also puts more pressure on clarity. Players do not want to scroll through huge blocks of bonus terms. They want fast answers:
- Best casino for quick withdrawals
- Best Interac option
- Best slot lobby
- Best high-RTP games
- Best mobile experience
For affiliates and operators, this means page structure matters. Tables, verdict boxes, payment summaries and direct recommendations often outperform long, generic content.
The market is moving away from generic casino comparisons
The Canadian slots market is not short of casino lists.
The issue is that many lists look the same. Same bonus-first ranking. Same generic claims. Same vague “safe and secure” language. Same lack of useful payout or banking detail.
The better opportunity is to compare casinos around real player decisions.
For Canadian slot players, that often means:
- How fast can I withdraw?
- Can I use Interac?
- What games are actually worth playing?
- Is the casino reliable after I win?
- Does the site work properly on mobile?
- Are the terms clear enough to trust?
These questions are more practical than promotional. They also create stronger commercial intent.
A player searching for payout speed, Interac support or slot value is usually further along the decision journey than someone casually browsing a bonus list.
What this means for the industry
The Canadian slot player in 2026 is not necessarily less bonus-driven. But the bonus is no longer the whole story.
The market is becoming more mature, and mature players compare the full experience. They want payment confidence, game quality, mobile usability, transparent terms and fewer surprises after depositing.
For operators, this means the product experience has to support the marketing promise.
For affiliates, it means generic casino pages are losing their edge. The stronger play is to build content around the actual comparison points players care about.
Payout speed, Interac and RTP transparency are not side details anymore.
They are becoming part of the main decision.
The post What Canadian Slot Players Are Really Comparing in 2026: Payout Speed, Interac and RTP Transparency appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Octoplay has secured conditional licence approval from the Alberta Gaming, Liquor & Cannabis Commission (AGLC), allowing the supplier to begin the process of offering its games catalogue to operators in Alberta.
The company said the approval positions it to launch in Canada’s newest regulated iGaming market when it opens in July. Octoplay is already live in Ontario with BetMGM and PokerStars, and has also entered the US through New Jersey and Michigan, according to the company.
“Alberta is one of the most strategic market openings on our 2026 roadmap. Entering it with the performance data we’ve built in Ontario, New Jersey, and Michigan gives us a strong foundation to be one of the first suppliers to partner with local tier-one operators as soon as the market opens,” says Ralitsa Georgieva, CEO at Octoplay.
“We’ve worked closely with the AGLC throughout the licensing process, and clearing the conditional stage reflects the strength of our compliance infrastructure,” says Martina Borg Stevens, Chief Legal Officer at Octoplay. “Our team has built a process that allows us to enter new regulated jurisdictions efficiently without compromising on the technical standards each regulator requires.”
Octoplay said Alberta adds to its regulated footprint, which it stated includes 17 operational markets: the United Kingdom, New Jersey, Michigan, Ontario, Italy, Spain, Sweden, the Netherlands, Denmark, Belgium, Greece, Romania, Malta, Slovakia, Finland, Brazil, and Georgia.
The post Octoplay secures conditional Alberta iGaming supplier approval from AGLC appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Bronze card has been claimed during the group stage; silver and gold prizes remain available until 31 July.
Tonybet said it has paid out its first major prize in its World Cup Card Collection campaign for Canadian customers (excluding Ontario), after a player secured the promotion’s bronze card worth $15,000 CAD.
The operator said the World Cup Card Collection includes 51 cards to collect during the tournament: 48 digital cards tied to participating World Cup nations, plus three unique cards—gold, silver and bronze—linked to a $150,000 CAD total prize fund.
According to Tonybet, the bronze card has been available through the World Cup’s group stage and has now been claimed. The silver card is available during the knockout rounds up to the quarter-finals, while the gold card is held back for the closing semi-finals and final.
Tonybet Head of Product Kiryl Liudvikevich said: “With Canada co-hosting the World Cup for the first time, the tournament has felt closer to home than ever before for Canadians, and it has already delivered a moment most supporters could only dream about with the national team advancing to the knockout stages.
“For one lucky Canada supporter, it has now produced another story that will be worth retelling long after the final whistle has gone – with our lucky winner among the first Tonybet customers to win one of the unique cards in our World Cup Card Collection, taking home a cool $15,000 for managing to get his hands on bronze. Who will end up with silver and gold?”
Tonybet said the same three unique cards are also in circulation across its other markets, with varying outcomes so far. The World Cup Card Collection campaign runs until 31 July, with a $150,000 CAD prize pool for Canada and separate prize pools in other markets.
The post Tonybet pays first $15,000 CAD prize in World Cup Card Collection Canada promo appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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