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?<\/p>\n
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. <\/p>\n
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. <\/p>\n
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. <\/p>\n
OK, all the big e-commerce sites may be quaking, but the NSA not so much. Why? <\/p>\n
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? <\/p>\n
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. <\/p>\n
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. <\/p>\n
People's feelings are becoming more nuanced. People want better oversight, new laws, because people see value in surveillance. <\/p>\n
But is the concern temporary or long term? <\/p>\n
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