Americans’ Privacy Strategies Post-Snowden
In response to the mass surveillance revelations by former NSA contractor Edward Snowden, Americans have begun to change their habits to protect their privacy. According to the Pew Research Forum “The notable findings in this survey fall into two broad categories: 1) the ways people have personally responded in light of their awareness of the government surveillance programs and 2) their views about the way the programs are run and the people who should be targeted by government surveillance…34% of those who are aware of the surveillance programs (30% of all adults) have taken at least one step to hide or shield their information from the government.” Those that have not changed behaviors were found to not be aware of the common available mechanisms to conceal their activities and communications.
One of the least surprising findings was that the American public is divided on how to feel and react to mass surveillance. Of the 87% of respondents that have heard of the programs, 61% of respondents are less confident efforts are serving the public interest. Conversely, 37% feel that the programs are in the public interest.
What is clear is that Americans are truly divided on the issue of data collection.