Is Internet Access A Right Or A Privilege? Americans Are Divided, According To New Survey

New Internet Privacy Survey by AnchorFree also Reveals Americans
Disagree on Who’s Responsible for Safe and Secure Internet Access

MENLO PARK, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–AnchorFree,
global leader in consumer security and privacy, today unveiled survey
findings that show Americans are divided on key issues around internet
access and responsibility for online privacy. The survey is rooted in a
fundamental question: “is internet access a right or a privilege?” Over
two-thirds of Americans (68%) say internet access is a privilege, while
only 32 percent responded that it is a human right. These groups were
further divided on the issue of which entity is responsible for
safeguarding the online privacy of all Americans. Of those that think
the internet is a privilege, 42 percent say internet service providers
(ISPs) are responsible for safe and secure access. For respondents that
say internet access is a human right, 41 percent hold the government
responsible for safe and secure internet access.

The new report, Responsibility
For Internet Privacy: A Divided Nation
, explored current sentiment
toward the internet and privacy through a survey of over 2,000
Americans. The survey comes on the heels of a recent bill signed into
law that allows internet providers to collect users’ personal
information without asking for permission. In response to this bill,
almost all Americans – over 95 percent – are concerned about businesses
collecting and selling personal information without permission.

Key survey findings include:

  • Over 80% are more concerned about their online privacy and security
    today than one year ago
  • 70% are doing more today to protect their online privacy than one year
    ago
  • Only 1 in 4 say “I am responsible” for ensuring safe and secure
    internet access
  • The majority of consumers are employing fundamental privacy
    protections, like changing passwords and avoiding suspicious emails,
    but only one in five are using more sophisticated privacy safeguards
    like virtual private networks (VPNs)

“Our survey finds that the majority of consumers are concerned in the
aftermath of the Federal Communications Commission’s rollback of
internet privacy protections. At this juncture, it’s clear that neither
government nor the private sector is taking responsibility for
consumers’ online privacy. It now squarely rests on each individual to
actively manage their own privacy,” said David Gorodyansky, founder and
CEO of AnchorFree.

“As more connected devices emerge and threats to internet freedom
persist, it’s imperative for Americans to learn about online privacy
protection options and take personal responsibility for safeguarding
their health, wealth and family. They otherwise risk the misuse of this
data by hackers and third party companies,” continued Gorodyansky.

To see the entire set of survey findings, download Responsibility
For Internet Privacy: A Divided Nation
.

About AnchorFree

AnchorFree’s mission is to provide secure access to the world’s
information for every person on the planet. AnchorFree’s Hotspot Shield VPN
application is the world’s largest Internet freedom and personal privacy
platform and the biggest disrupter of Internet censorship. Downloaded by
more than 500 million users across mobile devices and computers; Hotspot
Shield is the starting point, for mobile and Web access, making all
applications and websites secure, private and accessible.

Funded by $63 million from Goldman Sachs, and other blue chip investors,
AnchorFree is focused on bringing online privacy and freedom to the next
billion Internet users. AnchorFree is growing by six million new
downloads of Hotspot Shield per month and is on track to reach one
billion user downloads in the coming years.

Contacts

104 West Partners for AnchorFree
Sarah Thorson, 720-407-6078
sarah.thorson@104west.com

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