New Harris poll finds NSA spying affecting online commerce

Summary: 85 percent of adult Americans are somewhat aware of NSA spying and many have already changed their online behavior. And the Snowden revelations continue. Where will this end?

A new Harris poll commissioned by security software maker ESET (not available online; reported on here) found that 47 percent of respondents have changed their online behavior and think more about the sites they visit, what they say, and what they do.

Twenty-six percent say that they are now doing less online banking and shopping. More worrying: the 18-34 age group is doing less online.

Twenty-four percent are less inclined to use email. Among 18-34 year olds in households making less than $50,000, a year the the percentage rises to 32.

OK, all the big e-commerce sites may be quaking, but the NSA not so much. Why?

While two-thirds believe technology companies have violated the trust of users by working with the Feds, 57 percent believes that mass surveillance helps prevent terrorism. Really?

I asked Stephen Cobb, Senior Security Researcher at ESET, author of the article about the survey and a long-time security geek, about the disparity between concern about security and support for surveillance.

The NSA revelations brought to the surface concerns that a lot of people had in the area of data privacy. People are now debating with themselves the balance between privacy and security.

People's feelings are becoming more nuanced. People want better oversight, new laws, because people see value in surveillance.

But is the concern temporary or long term?

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New Harris poll finds NSA spying affecting online commerce