Edward Snowden revealed the U.S. Government’s domestic spying program. The revelations changed the world. The data collection programs have impacted US businesses ‘ ability to sell abroad. Recent regulations introduced in China have knocked Apple (AAPL), Cisco (CSCO), McAfee, and Citrix (CTXS) out of growing markets.
Lisa Vaas, at Sophos’ Naked Security blog, points us to a recent Pew Research Center survey that documents the impact of TLA spying and data collection on the home-front. Most Americans (87%) have heard about the National Security Agency’s (NSA) surveillance programs since Snowden began leaking documents nearly two years ago. The Pew research found that nearly one-third of American adults have taken steps to protect their information from government surveillance programs that monitor phone and digital communications.
Aware of the NSA’s surveillance programs
Out of those surveyed who are at least somewhat aware of the NSA’s surveillance programs (30% of adults),
- 34% have taken at least one step to keep their information hidden or shielded from the government.
- 25% are using more complex passwords
- 17% changed their privacy settings on social media
- 15% use social media less often
- 15% have avoided certain apps
- 14% say they speak more in person instead of communicating online or on the phone
- 13% have uninstalled apps
- 13% have avoided using certain terms in online communications
When it comes to how well the courts are balancing the needs of law enforcement and intelligence agencies with citizens’ right to privacy:
- 49% say courts and judges are not balancing those interests;
- 48% say they are.
OK to spy on foreigners
The article says the public approves of monitoring plenty of people, including foreign citizens, foreign leaders, and American leaders:
- 82% say it’s acceptable to monitor communications of suspected terrorists;
- 60% believe it’s acceptable to monitor the communications of American leaders;
- 60% think it’s OK to monitor the communications of foreign leaders;
- 54% say it’s acceptable to monitor communications from foreign citizens;
- 57% say that the monitoring of citizens’ communications is unacceptable;
- 65% – think it’s OK to monitor people who pepper their communications with words such as “explosives” and “automatic weapons” in search engine queries;
- 67% think it’s OK to monitor people who visit anti-American websites.
Americans are split about just how much we should worry about surveillance – particularly when it comes to their own digital behavior.
- 39% describe themselves as concerned about government monitoring of their activity on search engines.
- 38% say they’re concerned about government monitoring of their activity on their email messages.
- 37% express concern about government monitoring of their activity on their cell phone.
- 31% are concerned about government monitoring of their activity on social media sites, such as Facebook or Twitter.
- 29% say they’re concerned about government monitoring of their activity on their mobile apps.
Related articles
- Report: Edward Snowden Changed How Americans Treat Digital Privacy (dcinno.streetwise.co)
Ralph Bach has been in IT long enough to know better and has blogged from his Bach Seat about IT, careers, and anything else that catches his attention since 2005. You can follow him on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter. Email the Bach Seat here.