Shadow IT usage is widespread in German companies

A study conducted by Deel and Censuswide among 2,000 employees in Germany reveals that Shadow IT remains widespread within German companies. Approximately 32 percent of respondents reported using digital tools that were not officially provided or approved by their employers.

Key drivers for this behavior include a desire for increased productivity, cited by 30 percent of participants, and a lack of suitable official software. Specifically, 27 percent of employees turned to unauthorized AI applications, known as ‘Shadow AI’, because their employers had not provided appropriate AI solutions.

The use of these unapproved tools presents significant security risks. About 22 percent of respondents admitted to entering company, customer, or personal data into unauthorized applications. This creates a lack of oversight for IT departments, who may be unable to track which applications are being used or how sensitive information is being processed and stored.