Low Trust, High Stakes: Governments & Big Tech

While technology is evolving at an unprecedented rate and governments worldwide grapple with economic uncertainty and social polarization, public trust in key institutions remains a critical concern. In early 2026, debates over data privacy, regulatory oversight and ethical responsibility of tech giants continue to dominate public debate and news headlines. In this context, a new survey by Statista Consumer Insights sheds light on eroding confidence in both governmental bodies and major technology companies. At the same time, other players manage to retain significantly higher levels of trust.

The survey, conducted in January 2026 with over 1,000 respondents aged 18-64 in the United Kingdom, Germany and the United States, highlights stark differences in trust levels across sectors and countries. Healthcare providers emerge as the most trusted institutions among the studied populations, with 38 percent of British respondents expressing confidence in them (multi-pick), followed by 24 percent of Americans and 17 percent of Germans. Banks and financial institutions also fare relatively well, particularly in the U.K., at 27 percent, while they obtain 17 to 20 percent in Germany and the U.S. Nonprofit organizations are slightly more trusted by Americans (24 percent) compared to their European counterparts (21-22 percent), while consumer protection agencies also inspire notable confidence in Germany (29 percent), compared to 18 percent in the U.K. and 14 percent in the U.S.

As highlighted by our infographic, governments and big tech companies tend to rank at the bottom of the trust spectrum, with an average rating about half that of the institutions mentioned above. In the U.K., only 15 percent of respondents say they trust their government, and a mere 12 percent trust big tech. The figures are slightly lower in Germany (13 percent for government, 11 percent for big tech) and the United States (11 percent for both). In comparison, news and media networks (not included in our chart) - also known to have seen their trust capital challenged recently - score an average of just over 14 percent in these three countries. This widespread distrust underscores the challenges ahead for policymakers and tech leaders, as they seek to rebuild public confidence in an era defined by rapid technological change, increased geopolitical instability and societal shifts.