A new survey from the Internet Innovation Alliance (IIA) finds that data privacy and security concerns are generally shared across generations, with broad support for a national privacy law.
The survey, released today by IIA and polling firm CivicScience, aimed to find if younger, digital natives may have different attitudes towards privacy – but did not find much difference. IIA found that 67 percent of millennials expressed concern over financial information being stolen from online companies – close to the overall level of 74 percent for respondents of all ages. Similarly, 69 percent of millennials oppose companies using their data to make advertisements and content more relevant, not far off from the overall percentage of 75 percent opposed.
“According to the survey results, the answer is clear: millennials value their online privacy highly, are worried about the security of their personal data, and are worried companies that hold their personal information aren’t doing enough to protect it,” said Rick Boucher, honorary chairman of IIA and former member of Congress, on a media call.
The survey also asked about the need for Federal data privacy legislation, and found that 72 percent of adults support a single, national bill.
“Americans, regardless of demography, believe there is reason for concern when it comes to personal data online, and they think a national policy should be implemented to address these issues,” the survey states.
While IIA expressed its support for a data privacy bill that preempts state laws, the group declined to offer any further policy recommendations in the findings.
“This would be a decision for Congress to make, and we’re not suggesting a specific set of privacy principles that would be in the law,” said Boucher.