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Home Research Topics Politics & Policy Political Issues Privacy Rights
Pew Research CenterNovember 11, 2014
Public Perceptions of Privacy and Security in the Post-Snowden Era

What Americans Think About Privacy

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What Americans Think About Privacy

Post Infographics

Public Perceptions of Privacy and Security in the Post-Snowden Era
What comes to mind when you hear the word “privacy”?
The public feels most secure using landline phones, least secure on social media
Social security numbers, health info and phone conversations among the most sensitive data
“Privacy” in the words of the public
Most have heard at least a little about government surveillance
Older adults among most likely to have heard “a lot” about gov’t surveillance
Surveillance awareness and self-searching
A majority of adults have searched for information about themselves online
Most do not think it’s a good thing for society if people believe they are being watched online
The public feels most secure using landline phones, least secure on social media
Those who are more aware of gov’t surveillance more likely to see communications channels as “not at all secure”
Low levels of trust in government and advertisers
Broad concern about government and third-party access to info on social networking sites
Social security numbers, health info and phone conversations among the most sensitive data
Mobile internet users more likely to value efficiency of services that rely on personal data
Social media users more comfortable sharing personal info in exchange for free services
Strategies for self-presentation online vary by age
Those who are aware of their own digital footprints more pessimistic about ease of anonymity online
Young adults most likely to have asked someone to correct or remove info about them online
Work-related self-presentation online by education
Do you assume new acquaintances will search for you online?
Those who view their social security number as “very sensitive”
Those who view health information as “very sensitive”
Those who view the content of phone conversations as “very sensitive”
Those who view the content of email as “very sensitive”
Those who view the details of their physical location over a period of time as “very sensitive”
Those who view the numbers called or texted from their phone as “very sensitive”
Those who view the content of text messages as “very sensitive”
Those who view their birth date as “very sensitive”
Public perceptions of privacy
“Privacy” in the words of the public
Public Perceptions of Privacy
What Americans Think About Privacy

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About Pew Research Center Pew Research Center is a nonpartisan fact tank that informs the public about the issues, attitudes and trends shaping the world. It conducts public opinion polling, demographic research, media content analysis and other empirical social science research. Pew Research Center does not take policy positions. It is a subsidiary of The Pew Charitable Trusts.

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