Survey reveals 45% of US adults unconcerned about online privacy
A new poll shows nearly half of Americans are not worried about data privacy, despite widespread backlash against surveillance technologies.
Key points
- % of 1,517 US adults polled say they are not concerned about their online privacy.
- % of those claiming nothing to hide refuse to hand unlocked phones to strangers.
- % of respondents cover cameras on their devices to protect personal data.
A new survey conducted by data removal service Incogni indicates that 45 percent of 1,517 U.S. adults polled say they are not concerned about their online privacy, according to 9to5Mac. This finding emerges despite heightened public scrutiny of digital surveillance and data brokerage practices across the country.
The poll highlights a significant contradiction in consumer behavior regarding personal data protection. Among the subset of respondents who stated they had nothing to hide, 58 percent said they would refuse to hand their unlocked phone to a stranger for any amount of money. Additionally, 39 percent of that group cover the camera on their phone or laptop, and nearly half would not hand over text messages to the government or Big Tech companies, even if offered three months of their income.
Context on Privacy Concerns
These survey results arrive amid growing public tension over privacy issues in the United States. Recent controversies include Ring’s scrapped interconnected doorbell feature known as Search Party and significant backlash against Flock cameras. Data brokers continue to sell personal identities quietly, keeping individual privacy at the center of national discourse.
Ron Zayas, founder and CEO of Ironwall by Incogni, told 9to5Mac that privacy often feels abstract until it directly impacts individuals. He noted that people may not realize the implications until someone reads their messages, charges them more, puts them in danger, or discloses intimate details about them. Zayas emphasized that all of these scenarios constitute privacy issues.
Corporate Practices and Perception
Zayas suggested that companies may intentionally exploit the gap between abstract privacy concerns and tangible risks. He pointed out that if a privacy policy explicitly stated that an app would download contacts, suck in photos, analyze habits, and share details with paying parties, most users would pause. Instead, companies often open with statements valuing privacy while burying the actual data collection practices in legalese.
The survey suggests that while Americans express strong protective behaviors for their immediate devices, they may underestimate the broader scope of data collection. The disconnect between stated concerns and actual behavior remains a key theme for security professionals monitoring consumer trends.
What should you do?
Security professionals should consider these behavioral contradictions when designing user education programs. Understanding that users may protect physical devices while neglecting digital footprints can inform better privacy policies and consent mechanisms. Organizations should also review how they present data collection terms to ensure clarity and transparency for end users.
Background: Privacy policies
A privacy policy is a legal document that explains what data a company collects, why it collects it, and how it shares that information. It defines your rights regarding consent and deletion. Understanding it helps you control your digital footprint and avoid unintended data exposure to third parties.
Read the full guide: How Privacy Policies Actually Work: A Practical Explanation
What to do and how to stay safe: Incogni
- Review current privacy policies to ensure data collection practices are clearly explained without excessive legalese.
- Educate users on the difference between device-level security and broader online data exposure.
- Monitor consumer sentiment surveys to identify gaps between stated privacy concerns and actual behavior.
- Implement clear consent mechanisms that explicitly state what data is collected and how it is shared.
Step-by-step guide: Mobile Device Security: How to Protect Data Beyond Passwords
General security guidance from the Threat Times newsroom. It is not confirmed advice from the organisations named in this story.
Frequently asked questions
What percentage of US adults are unconcerned about online privacy?
According to the Incogni survey, 45 percent of 1,517 U.S. adults polled say they are not concerned about their online privacy.
How do people who say they have nothing to hide protect their devices?
Among those respondents, 58 percent refuse to hand unlocked phones to strangers, and 39 percent cover their device cameras.
Who commented on the survey findings for 9to5Mac?
Ron Zayas, founder and CEO of Ironwall by Incogni, provided commentary on the survey results and privacy perceptions.
