Contrary to assertions that people "don't care" almost privacy in the digital historic period, this survey suggests that Americans agree a range of potent views about the importance of control over their personal information and freedom from surveillance in daily life. Every bit earlier studies in this series have illustrated, Americans' perceptions of privacy are varied in important means and often overlap with concerns about personal data security and government surveillance. In exercise, information scholars accept noted that privacy is non something one can but "have," but rather is something people seek to "reach" through an ongoing procedure of negotiation of all the means that information flows beyond different contexts in daily life.

The information from the new Pew Research surveys suggest that Americans consider a broad assortment of privacy-related values to be deeply important in their lives, specially when it comes to having a sense of control over who collects information and when and where activities can exist observed.

When they are asked to remember almost all of their daily interactions – both online and offline – and the extent to which sure privacy-related values are important to them, clear majorities believe every dimension beneath is at least "somewhat important" and many express the view that these aspects of personal information command are "very important."v The full range of their views is captured in the chart below and more detailed assay is explored after that.

Americans Hold Strong Views About Privacy in Everyday Life

Nine-in-x adults experience various dimensions of command over personal data collection are "very important" to them.

The issue of who is gathering data and what data is existence gathered is considered to be an of import dimension of privacy command past about all American adults. In all, 93% of adults say that being in control of who can get information about them is important; 74% feel this is "very important," while 19% say it is "somewhat important."

At the same time, ninety% say that controlling what information is collected nigh them is important– 65% think it is "very of import" and 25% say it is "somewhat important." There are no significant age- or gender-based differences for either of these questions.

Every bit earlier surveys take demonstrated, the sensitivity level of various types of information varies considerably, with social security numbers topping the list of the well-nigh sensitive pieces of information and bones purchasing habits being viewed as the to the lowest degree sensitive kind of information.

Americans value having the power to share confidential matters with another trusted person.

While public c0nfidence in the security of diverse communications channels is low, Americans go along to value the ability to share confidential data with others in their lives. Nine-in-ten (93%) adults say that this is important to them, with 72% saying information technology is "very important" and 21% saying it is "somewhat important" to have this power to share confidential information with trusted parties. Men, women and adults of all ages are every bit likely to hold these views.

Permission and publicness are key features that influence views on surveillance.

Americans say they do non wish to be observed without their approval; 88% say that it is of import that they not have someone sentry or listen to them without permission (67% feel this is "very important" and 20% say it is "somewhat important" to them).

Nonetheless, far fewer (63%) feel it is important to exist able to "go around in public without always being identified." Only 34% believe being able to get unnoticed in public is "very important" and 29% say information technology is "somewhat important." In both cases, all adults, regardless of age or gender, limited comparable views.

For many, homes really are "do non disturb" zones.

Americans do not appreciate beingness bothered at habitation. Fully 85% say that not existence disturbed at home is important to them. Some 56% say it is very of import they not exist bothered at dwelling and another 29% say it is "somewhat important" they exist gratuitous from disturbances at dwelling house.

Americans treasure the power to be lone at times and they do not appreciate intrusive inquiries nearly personal matters.

Some 85% of adults say it is important to be able to have times when they are completely solitary, away from anyone else. Fully 55% say this is "very important" to them and another 30% say this is somewhat important. These with high school educations or less are non as likely every bit those with at to the lowest degree some college feel or college graduates to say that being alone matters to them. Women and men evidence no departure in their answer on this question, nor practice those in different historic period groups.

On a dissever question, 79% say that it "very" or "somewhat" important to them not to have people at work or social situations ask them about things that are "highly personal." Some 44% say that avoiding prying acquaintances is "very important" to them and another 36% say this is "somewhat important."

The ability to avoid "highly personal" questions is an especially important virtue to those over age l. Some 52% say it is very important to them not to exist asked nearly highly personal matters, compared with 37% of those ages 18-49 who feel that level of sensitivity. In improver, women (84%) are more than likely than men (74%) to say that it is important to them not to have people ask them highly personal questions in work and social situations.

Past a 2-to-one margin, people think it is important not to be monitored at work.

Some 56% of Americans say it is important to them not to be monitored at piece of work, compared with 27% who say it is not very or non at all of import. Some other 15% of adults say they do not know or this issue does non employ to them. Twenty-eight percent say it is "very important" not to be monitored at work and some other 28% say it is "somewhat important."half-dozen

Even as they value the ability to be costless from observation, Americans experience it is hard to avoid surveillance in public.

While the patterns of one'due south digital communications and behaviors have been the focus of much of the recent public discussion well-nigh surveillance, Americans also have a pervasive sense that their physical activities may be recorded when they are moving nigh their daily lives. In the first survey in this series, Americans were asked whether or not they hold that "information technology is hard to avoid surveillance cameras when I am out in public."7 The vast majority – 81% – agree that surveillance cameras are hard to avoid; 36% say they "strongly agree" and 45% "agree."

Majorities of every demographic group said they feel this way, with relatively minor variation in the responses. For instance, the oldest adults in the sample were somewhat more likely than those under the age of l to experience that surveillance cameras are hard to avert when they are out in public; 90% of adults ages 65 and older agree that surveillance cameras are difficult to avoid in public, compared with 76% of those ages 18-29 and lxxx% of those ages xxx-49 who feel that mode.

Similarly, in online focus groups conducted for this report, respondents were prompted to think virtually specific examples of the kinds of data and data that might be recorded or collected about them. When asked most the kinds of observation that might happen equally they are walking downward the street, many mentioned the presence of cameras of various kinds. And while about cast these observations in a negative light, some noted that they can be a boon to public safety:

When y'all are walking down the street, exercise you e'er recollect that you are being observed in a way that would create a kind of record near where you've been that could exist accessed subsequently?

"CCTV Cameras are all over the place plus there [are] satellites. All kind[due south of] stuff."

"We are always on video. We go out [an] imprint as soon as we leave our house."

"I'm frightened by high resolution satellite cameras."

"Sites visited, purchases made. You lot are always being filmed on cameras … which can be a skillful matter if you lot are assaulted."

"Big Bro is always watching."

Few feel they accept "a lot" of control over how much information is nerveless about them in daily life.

While Americans clearly value having control over their personal information, few feel they have the ability to exert that control. Across surveillance cameras, there are many other forms of daily data drove and use that they practice not experience they tin can avoid. When asked how much control they feel they have over how much information is collected about them and how it is used in their everyday lives, only a small minority of Americans say they have "a lot" of command.

Few Say They Have

Our question on this bailiwick went as follows: Respondents were asked to think about a typical 24-hour interval in their lives as they spend time at home, outside their home, and getting from place to place. They were asked to consider that they might use their cellphone, landline phones or credit cards. They might go online and purchase things, use search engines, watch videos or cheque in on social media. When thinking nearly all of these activities that might take identify on a typical day, just 9% say they feel they take "a lot" of control over how much information is collected about them and how information technology is used, while 38% say they have "some control." Another 37% assert they accept "not much control," and 13% feel they personally have "no control at all" over the mode their data is gathered and used.

While there are some small variations across socioeconomic groups, men, women and adults of all ages report similar views.

In keeping with other research on engineering science apply and perceptions of control, social media users are more probable than non-users to believe they have "a lot" of control over how much information is collected about them and how it is used; eleven% feel this way vs. iv% of not-users. However, it is nevertheless the case that nearly half of all social media users feel they have "non much" or "no control at all" over personal data drove and utilize in daily life.eight

Those who are more aware of government surveillance efforts feel they have less control over the way their data is collected and used on a typical day.

At the time of this survey, 81% of adults had at least some depression level of sensation about the regime collecting information about telephone calls, emails and other online communications. One-in-three (32%) said they had heard "a lot" well-nigh the programs and nigh half (48%) said they had heard "a trivial."9 Those who were among the most likely to hear "a lot" most the programs include adults ages 50 and older (xl%) and those with a college degree (44%).

Those who are more aware of government surveillance efforts say they have less command over the way their information is collected and used on a typical 24-hour interval; 60% of those who have heard "a lot" almost the government collecting information about communications said they feel they have "not much" or "no control at all" over the style their data is gathered and used compared with 47% of those who have heard merely "a piffling" about the monitoring programs.

Focus group discussions propose that many want more transparency in who collects information about them, just some don't care or don't worry.

In the online focus group discussions, a subset of the survey respondents was asked whether or not they feel as though they "know enough" about who collects data about them and why information technology is being nerveless. Among those who felt they don't know enough, respondents noted multiple dimensions of unknowing, including where the data is stored, who has admission to information technology and how information technology might be used:

Do you feel equally though you know enough about who collects information about y'all and your activities or would you like to know more about who is doing the collecting and the reasons for it?

"No we don't know who is ever collecting it and the bigger question is where does it go and who likewise gets to see it."

"No. One time information technology is collected, information technology has no expiration appointment … things collected 10 years ago nearly my daily patterns are relevant to what I do today? In that location is a great unknown to information technology all."

"I would like to know more. I feel there is too much secrecy and perhaps the regime wants in that location to be secrecy precisely so that they can monitor what people recollect they are not being monitored for!"

"I would like to know more about who is collecting data and for what reasons."

"I would like to know anybody who is collecting data on me and what they are doing with it."

"I know from personal experience that we don't (and probably will never) know enough almost who is collecting information and why. If people knew how much the Government knew about their twenty-four hour period-to-day activities, we wouldn't be then carefree with our lives."

"Definitely would like to know who'south collecting information about me. What if yous're suspected of something unjustly."

At the same time, some other grouping of participants voiced the view that they "don't care" or "don't worry" about who might be collecting data about them and why:

"If I detect out, fine. Merely I'thou certainly not going to waste any time on it… likewise many other things to relish in life."

"I exercise non care. I feel I don't exercise annihilation incorrect so I don't accept to worry."

"I don't worry besides much about this. Just I merely wonder if the Usa is nonetheless a gratuitous land that we all are looking for."

"I pb a very placid life. I don't know of any activeness I could be doing that could track me for anything."

When asked about the length of time that information should be retained by various institutions, nigh Americans experience that "a few months" or less is long plenty to store nearly records of their activeness.

Diverse organizations and companies often are required to retain data about customers or users for legal reasons or as role of their business operations. The length of time varies considerably across different organizations and according to the type of data being retained.ten Groups that gear up standards for records direction and retention country that one of the core principles of the practice is to determine what is "an advisable time, taking into account all operational, legal, regulatory and financial requirements, and those of all relevant bounden authorities."11

In this survey there is both broad variation across the length of time that respondents feel is reasonable to store their data, and considerable variance depending on the kind of organisation that retains the records of the activity. In general, and even though it may be necessary to provide certain functionality, people are less comfortable with certain online service providers—such every bit search engine providers and social media sites—storing records and archives of their activity. For case, fifty% of adults think that online advertisers who place ads on the websites they visit should not salve any information about their activity.12

At the other end of the spectrum, the vast bulk of adults are comfortable with the idea that credit card companies might retain records or athenaeum of their activity. Yet, the length of time that people feel is reasonable varies significantly. While few think that data near their credit menu activity should simply be stored for a few weeks (6%) or a few months (xiv%), many more consider a few years (28%) a reasonable length of time. Another 22% call back credit card companies should store the information "equally long as they need to" and just 13% think that credit bill of fare companies "shouldn't save any information."

The notable demographic variances across these questions include:

  • Women are more than likely than men to say that authorities agencies should retain their records "as long as they need to" (34% vs. 23%).
  • Women are more probable than men to say that credit carte companies should retain their records "every bit long equally they demand to" (27% vs. 17%).
  • Large numbers (24%) of those nether historic period 50 said that the question virtually landline telephone companies did not apply to them. By dissimilarity, large numbers (thirty%) of those ages 50 and older said that the question most social media sites didn't employ to them. A slightly smaller number (26%) of older adults said the aforementioned most online video sites.

Most Expect Limits on How Long the Records of Their Activity Are Stored

Those who have greater awareness of the government monitoring programs are more probable to believe that certain records should not be saved for any length of time.

Those Who Have Heard Those who have had the most exposure to information about the authorities surveillance programs likewise have some of the strongest views virtually data retention limits for certain kinds of organizations. These differences are particularly notable when because social media sites; among those who have heard "a lot" most the regime collecting communications data as role of anti-terrorism efforts, 55% say that the social media sites they use should not relieve any information regarding their activity, compared with 35% of those who accept heard "a little" about the regime monitoring programs.

Focus group discussions highlight some of the public's assumptions and concerns virtually data collection and surveillance in daily life.

In focus group conversations, panelists noted various means that they assume information might exist collected about them. Expansive regime data collection efforts were cited by many respondents and several noted the ways in which hackers might access records that were gathered for other purposes.

Just off the height of your head, what kind of information about you and your activities do you think is being collected and who is collecting it?

"Anything digital tin tape, even a auto today tells everything, your cellphone even when it is off is all the same sending info to the towers."

"I have a cousin that was involved in the government. I believe that they effort collecting every bit much information every bit they possibly tin, specially after 9/11. They pretty much know when we sleep, consume, watch, t.v., make calls (and to whom), what videos nosotros rent, and what nosotros similar to consume."

"I remember the NSA does almost of the collecting. What they would get from me is location and site accost I am accessing, I guess."

"I believe that my search and order history on websites is being collected past companies that I social club from."

"Hackers … are trying to find out your credit bill of fare and other identity information."

"Name, address, everybody in my family, my interests, anything I may want to purchase. I think it is collected past the regime, and everyone who has great calculator cognition … tin hack."

"Web browsing (businesses, govt, hackers), credit card transactions (businesses, govt, hackers), cellphone texts and calls (govt)"

"I'm sure the government has buzz words that they take from texts or emails or blogs that they keep an eye on."

"I think Facebook tin can be used as a key tool in getting info past the government & our cellphones."

"I recall even so-called "individual" browsing could be explored by the authorities if they wanted access…not certain about Snap Chats–does anyone know?"

Americans accept piffling confidence that their data will remain private and secure—specially when it comes to information nerveless by online advertisers.

When they consider the various companies and organizations that maintain records of their activeness, very few express confidence that the information records held by these institutions would remain private and secure. For all of the 11 entities nosotros asked about – from government agencies to credit card companies to social media sites – only modest minorities say they are "very confident" that the records maintained past these organizations will remain private and secure.13

However, in that location are notable variations in Americans' confidence levels according to the type of organization being considered. For instance, just half-dozen% of adults say they are very confident that regime agencies can keep their records individual and secure, while some other 25% say they are somewhat confident.

Credit card companies appear to instill a marginally higher level of confidence when compared with other entities, but they still garner only 9% of respondents proverb they are "very confident" and 29% saying they are "somewhat confident" that their information will stay private and secure.

Landline phone companies and cellphone companies are more than trusted than digital communications providers, simply neither instills great levels of confidence. For instance, just 6% of respondents say they are "very confident" that landline telephone companies volition be able to protect their data and 25% say they are "somewhat confident" that the records of their activities will remain private and secure.

In keeping with the findings near the length of time various organizations might store records and archives of activity, online service providers are among the least trusted entities when information technology comes to keeping information individual and secure. When asked most search engine providers, online video sites, social media sites and online advertisers, the bulk felt "not too confident" or "non at all confident" that these entities could protect their information:

  • 76% of adults say they are "not also confident" or "not at all confident" that records of their activeness maintained past the online advertisers who place ads on the websites they visit volition remain private and secure.
  • 69% of adults say they are not confident that records of their activity maintained by the social media sites they utilize will remain private and secure.
  • 66% of adults say they are not confident that records of their activity maintained by search engine providers will remain private and secure.
  • 66% say they are not confident that records of their activity collected by the online video sites they apply volition remain private and secure.

Few Express Confidence That Their Records Will Remain Private and Secure

Those who take heard "a lot" well-nigh the government monitoring programs are less confident in the privacy and security of their information.

Those who have heard "a lot" about the government monitoring programs are less confident in the privacy and security of their data across an assortment of scenarios. This is truthful when we enquire questions about records maintained by a wide variety of institutions including government agencies, communications companies, landline telephone companies and various online service providers.

Greater Awareness of Government Monitoring Ties to Lower Levels of Confidence in Privacy and Security of Personal Data

The share of Americans who disapprove of the authorities collection of telephone and net data as role of anti-terrorism efforts continues to outweigh the number who approve.

Iv-in-ten (40%) adults say they disapprove of the authorities's collection of phone and internet data equally part of anti-terrorism efforts, while one-in-3 (32%) say they approve. At the aforementioned time, more than one-in-iv (26%) say they don't know if they approve or disapprove.14 Adults ages 50 and older are considerably more likely to approve of the programs when compared with those under age 50 (42% vs. 24%). Younger adults under age 50 express more doubt when compared with older adults; 32% say they "don't know" if they corroborate or disapprove of the programs, compared with 19% of those ages fifty and older.

Those who have heard "a lot" about the regime monitoring programs are far more likely to disapprove of them: sixty% disapprove of the programs compared with just 36% of those who accept heard only "a little."

Yet, as other surveys have indicated, Americans' views vary substantially when they consider the idea of monitoring of U.S. citizens vs. foreign citizens. While only a minority of Americans feels information technology is acceptable for the regime to monitor ordinary American citizens, many think it is acceptable to monitor others in a variety of other situations. Americans generally support monitoring foreign citizens and support the apply of surveillance to investigate specific scenarios such equally those involving criminal activeness or suspected involvement with terrorism.15

65% of American adults believe there are not adequate limits on the telephone and cyberspace data that the government collects.

The survey also reveals a broadly-held view that there should exist greater restrictions on the kinds of data that the regime is allowed to collect. When asked to think about the data the government collects as function of anti-terrorism efforts, 65% of Americans say there are non adequate limits on "what telephone and internet data the government tin collect." Just 31% say they believe that in that location are adequate limits on the kinds of data gathered for these programs.16

The bulk view that in that location are not sufficient limits on what information the regime gathers is consequent across all demographic groups with one small variation. Those in the highest-income households are somewhat more likely than those in the everyman-income groups to say that the limits on government data collection are sufficient; 36% of adults living in households earning $75,000 or more per twelvemonth call back the limits on these programs are adequate, compared with 21% of those in households earning $thirty,000 or less per year.

Notably, those who are more than enlightened of the government surveillance efforts are more probable to feel in that location are not adequate safeguards in place; 74% of those who have heard "a lot" about the programs say that there are non adequate limits, compared with 62% who have heard just "a niggling" about the monitoring programs.