I read an article about how Americans feel about a hot button issue, especially in the last two years: Internet privacy. The results might surprise you.
Yes, Americans care very much about their privacy, especially online. Ninety-three percent of Americans say control of who gets information about them is important. Ninety percent say what kind of information is collected about them is important. And Americans want to be left alone, especially online. Eighty-eight percent of Americans polled say they don’t want someone watching, reading, or listening in on their online activity without their knowledge or approval. The only issue that Americans are somewhat less passionate about is being identified, and the keyword is somewhat. Only sixty-three percent think it’s important to go out in public without authorities asking them to identify themselves. Participants in this survey have very little faith in the government or corporate America protecting their privacy. Thirty-one percent believe the government can keep their privacy safe. That same number applies to land-line telephone companies (yes, there’s still such a thing). Believe it or not, credit card companies did a little better. This poll said 38% of Americans trusted them to keep their information and privacy safe. The majority of Americans aren’t confident their search engine, social media, or videos will remain private and secure. That means over 60% of Americans think the government or some other entity will dig in our online information without our knowledge or approval.
So for those who say Americans don’t care about online privacy, or agree with being spied on, they don’t. Most just don’t know what to do about it. This is step one. Let’s continue with these studies and polls. Keep knowing the powers-that-be violation of online privacy, no matter if it’s done be hackers or done by the Feds, is not okay. Don’t let this issue go away until it’s solved. What do these numbers tell you?