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More Americans see their online personal data as secure
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Most Americans believe: ‘Sign in to our Secure Network’ is really secure
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Strong support for legal sanctions against government/businesses after data breaches
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Majority say internet browsing is private
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Large majority say government employees should be required to use government emails and servers only
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Findings by the Jackson State University Polling Center suggest that as we move away from major events such as the hacking of Sony Pictures Entertainment on Nov. 24, Americans settle back down into complacency regarding the security of their personal data on the internet. Similar questions on internet privacy were posed in both April and October 2015.
Since just April, 2015, more Americans (77.1%) see their online personal data as very and somewhat secure compared to 65.4% in April, 2015.
[pullquote align=”right”]Similarly, when asked how believable it is when they see “Sign in Using our Secure Network” at websites of their banks and favorite stores or vendors, 77.0% suggested “very and somewhat believable” compared to 70.9% in April, 2015. [/pullquote]
However, a sizable percentage (16.4%) when extrapolated on the total population, see such a message as “Sign in using our Secure Network” as “somewhat unbelievable or not at all believable”.
The Institute of Government Polling Center has released a national survey of 1000 adults that covered perceptions of security of personal data on the internet, perceptions of privacy when browsing, and impacts of personal information on the internet
Use of mobile devices to access internet grows
In a section dedicated to respondent perceptions and experiences with internet and online personal data security issues, findings suggest a trend toward mobile devices and away from more stationary devices such as desktop computers and televisions when accessing the internet.
In April, 2015, 41.4% saw their own browsing as “very or somewhat private”. Today, that percentage increased to 54.7%. Contrasting, those suggesting “somewhat or very public” dropped significantly from 53.8% to 38.4%.
In a new question for October, 2015, 41.8% of all respondents see their own social media messaging as “very or somewhat private” while 50.6% indicated “somewhat or very public”. Some, 7.6% were unsure.
The survey held additional new questions within the October, 2015 poll to determine support for instilling stronger responsibility for personal data among social media companies, businesses and even the government that holds credit/credit card data. Strong agreement was found for a number of legal remedies measured…
- Customers may sue a responsible entity when a beach occurs – 79.7% agree
- Regulators should force the responsible entities to pay customers a penalty fee for breaches of data held – 77.7% agree
- Customers/users are reimbursed for time and cost of damages resulting from a breach of their data by the responsible entity – 80.5% agree
- Regulators force entities to pay, indefinitely, for customer Identity Theft Protection services when a breach of data occurs – 68.0%
Government email issue not over for Clinton
In a matter closely tied to perceptions about email protocols used by Hillary Clinton while she served as U.S. Secretary of State, a large percentage of all Americans surveyed, 84.6% (86.6% in April 2015), strongly or somewhat agreed that government employees, for security and personnel accountability reasons, should be required to use government issued email addresses housed on government servers.
The poll measured agreement with a number of privacy and privacy protection- related statements. Strongest agreement was found (76.2% – down from 82.4% in April, 2015)) for “I have installed virus protection software” and for “There is no such thing as ‘delete’ when it comes to the internet” (74.8% – down slightly from 77.9% in April, 2015). Agreement was found in a number of other areas
- I have posted personal information on social media – 45.3% (up from 40.1% in April)
- I would support more government oversight if it meant more protection – 44.7% (up from 40.2% in April)
- I know someone who missed a job opportunity due to posts on the internet – 28.0% (similar to 28.3% in April)
- I have made mistakes by posting things such as vacation plans – 26.5% (up from 20.2%)
- I subscribe to an ID Theft service – 25.3% (slightly down from 26.2% in April)
- I’ve been surprised to find my own personal photos on the internet – 24.3% (up from 20.8% in April)
- I have been a victim of online theft of photos, data, information – 23.9% (down slightly from 24.6%)
ABOUT THE POLL: The Poll was conducted by The Polling Center at Jackson State University’s Institute of Government. Polling by the Center is conducted on a regular basis and may also include spontaneous polling on occurring events.
METHODOLOGY: The Poll sampled opinions of 1000 approximately proportional to state population contribution nationwide. The survey was conducted October 13-20, 2015. All surveys were conducted using an online survey instrument. The poll has a +/- 3.0 percent margin of error at a 95 percent confidence level on a composite basis.