“Many
Americans are in an ‘it depends’ frame of mind when they think about disclosing
personal information or keeping it private when considering different
scenarios,” according to a recent Pew Research Center survey
of 461 adults and nine online focus groups of 80 people.
The
survey found that in a variety of circumstances, Americans are willing to share
personal information or permit government surveillance in return for getting
something of perceived value. But they are often cautious about disclosing
their information and frequently unhappy about what happens to that information
once companies have collected it.
The
respondents’ ambivalence showed up in how the respondents felt about retail
loyalty cards and “smart thermostats. The survey found that “nearly half (47%) of
respondents said the basic bargain offered by retail loyalty cards – namely,
that stores track their purchases in exchange for occasional discounts – is
acceptable to them.” But their attitudes shifted when they were asked about
installing thermostats in their homes that would help them save money while
tracking their movements. Most—by a 55% to 27% margin—said they consider this
an unacceptable tradeoff.
So
what phrase best captures Americans’ views on the choice between privacy vs.
disclosure of personal information? “It depends.” The choice is shaped by “both
the conditions of the deal and the circumstances of people’s lives.” Other
factors come into play as well, such as what happens to data after it is
collected, how long it is retained, and whether it is disseminated to others.
For
more on this survey, visit:
