The vast majority of the global public is concerned about their online information being collected, bought and sold, but a minority say that concern translates to a change in online behavior.That is according to a new Ipsos poll commissioned by the Centre for International Governance Innovation. Interestingly, almost half (49%) said they were not aware that their data could be scraped and sold.
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/washington/survey-world-worried-about-data-collection-sale/156814Also see:2016 CIGI-Ipsos Global Survey on Internet Security and Trust [news release]
The 2016 CIGI-Ipsos Global Survey on Internet Security and Trust, undertaken by the Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI) and conducted by global research company Ipsos, reached 24,143 Internet users in 24 countries, and was carried out between November 20, 2015 and December 4, 2015.The countries included: Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Egypt, France, Germany, Great Britain, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, Poland, South Africa, South Korea, Sweden, Tunisia, Turkey and the United States.The global Survey was developed to help support the work of the Global Commission on Internet Governance (GCIG). The GCIC, an initiative by CIGI and Chatham House, was established to articulate and advance a strategic vision for the future of Internet governance.The global Survey includes sections on: Private Sector Data Practices, Global Trust, Hacktivism, the Dark Net and Privacy versus National Security.The survey found that:While most global citizens express concern over their personal information being bought or sold online, only half of global citizens are aware that companies providing free online services often sell personal data to governments and other companies, highlighting a lack of awareness. Data collection issues are set to be expanded as the Internet of Things becomes a growing global reality. Yet a majority of people are not bothered personal data is connected to the Internet, and an additional majority agree that the benefits outweigh the risks.

• 49% of global citizens are aware that companies that provide free online services can sell personal data to governments and other companies.
• 79% of global citizens are concerned that their information may be bought or sold

The survey found that:Global citizens are increasingly worried about their online privacy and security, especially when it comes to how their personal data is handled by private corporations and governments. There are unanswered questions about the extent to which global citizens can trust the Internet’s limitless reach — and whose responsibility it is to govern this unchartered space.

• 85% of global citizens think their government should work closely with other governments and organizations to address cyber threats.
• A majority (57%) of global citizens are more concerned about their online privacy compared to one year ago.
• 30% of global citizens think that their own government is currently doing enough to keep personal information secure and safe from private companies.
• 55% of global citizens avoid opening emails from unknown addresses, and 39% cut down on biographically accurate information given online and/or use commercial antivirus software.
• Eight in ten are concerned that their information may be bought or sold, about a lack of privacy, and that their information may be monitored.
• 83% of global citizens appear to have changed their online behaviour in an effort to control the amount of personal information that is being shared online.

For the rest of this news release, see:
https://www.cigionline.org/internet-survey-2016