Ani Petrosyan
Research expert for cybersecurity and cybercrime
Online privacy in the United States - Statistics & Facts
Connection to the most extensive global information base comes at a high price and sometimes costs users their personal information. In recent decades, internet penetration rates have surged, and Americans' digital footprint has expanded rapidly. In this data-driven environment, users now more than ever need fundamental institutional protection of their personal data.
Recently, the United States government has established its ambitions and determination to keep U.S. internet users safe. However, it is easier in theory, as in practice every such initiative meets the ambitions of thriving tech companies located primarily in the United States. Thus, most privacy laws, especially in the United States, are usually late to the party.
The critical impact of data breaches
With over 331 million internet users, the United States is among the leading online markets in the world. After the National Public Data breach in the summer of 2024, people became more aware of their vulnerability online. This incident is believed to have impacted around three billion individuals in the United States, United Kingdom (UK), and Canada. According to some estimates, every American might have been a victim of this incident.Do Americans prioritize data privacy?
Without any doubt, everybody would like to be safe on the internet. But sometimes, store credits or discounts get in the way. According to a 2024 survey, around seven in 10 U.S. adults were willing to subscribe to e-mail newsletters to receive discounts from the store. 1545670 Such an approach might be a result of the general assumption that companies are always collecting and tracking data about them.Seniors are more worried about data privacy
A May 2023 survey of U.S. adults showed that almost three in four internet users between 18 and 29 years almost always accepted privacy policies on websites without reading them. Older generations, on the other hand, were less likely to do so. When it comes to law enforcement tracking user data, seniors more often than younger users found it acceptable. Meanwhile, the least acceptable of the mentioned actions was breaking the passcode on a user’s phone and accessing their data.Just how serious it is?
Repercussions of identity theft are often above financial losses. Feeling anxious, worried, vulnerable, and frustrated is typical in such situations. Because falling a victim of identity theft is usually associated with lack of digital literacy, people also become ashamed of not being capable of avoiding such incidents. Sometimes, becoming a victim of online identity theft even causes suicidal thoughts.What do people do to protect themselves online?
To stay safe online, rather active than passive online presence is required. Certain preventative actions will secure online safety in the long run. Around seven in 10 U.S. social media users changed their account’s privacy settings, and a similar share of users turned off cookies or website tracking. For some internet users, it went as far as to stop using a digital product due to data safety concerns. Additionally, more than a third of respondents used encrypted messaging services.Recently, the United States government has established its ambitions and determination to keep U.S. internet users safe. However, it is easier in theory, as in practice every such initiative meets the ambitions of thriving tech companies located primarily in the United States. Thus, most privacy laws, especially in the United States, are usually late to the party.
