50% users are against companies turning over search queries to the government, according to a survey by the University of Connecticut. 65% were against the government monitoring internet search behaviors.


50% users are against companies turning over search queries to the government, according to a survey by the University of Connecticut. 44% supported that companies should turn them over.

65% were against the government monitoring internet search behaviors, whereas 30% supported it. 60% opposed companies permanently storing search behaviors of users, whereas 32% supported it.

Professor Samuel Best, Director of the Center for Survey Research and Analysis, said: “The public appears none to happy about the manner in which their Internet search queries are treated. They strongly oppose both companies permanently storing their search behaviors and the government monitoring them.” [Source]

The survey showed a table of confidence that search behaviors will remain private. The table is as follows:

Extremely Confident 5%
Very Confident 8%
Somewhat Confident 34%
Not Too Confident 30%
Not At All Confident 21%

23% of the users used internet search engines several times a day. 16% used them once a day, 18% used them 3-5 days a week, 14% used them 1-2 days a week, 11% used them once every few weeks, and 16% used them less often.

Out of these users, 85% denied searching for websites that they would not want others to know about, while 13% admitted to it.

Professor Best said: “Skepticism about the privacy of Internet search queries may be influencing how search engines are used. Internet users seem to avoid searches that might lead them to web sites that, if exposed, would make them embarrassed or uncomfortable.” [Source]

For more information on the survey, Source.

 

 

 

 

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