Amid Mass Surveillance Debate in Congress, Americans Support Privacy Protections

Summary

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Demand Progress Education Fund and FreedomWorks just released new polling conducted by YouGov of Americans from across the country about their perspective on government surveillance. Full polling results can be found here, and the polling questions here. KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM POLLING Americans think privacy protections against warrantless government surveillance should be expanded Question: Should Congress strengthen privacy protections for people in the U.S. against warrantless government surveillance of their communications, location information, and internet activity? Responses: Yes: 78% (627) No: 9% (72) Not sure: 13% (10) Americans think warrants should be required before searches of their communications with people abroad Question: Should government agencies be required to obtain warrants before intentionally searching international communications obtained without a warrant for conversations involving people in the U.S.? Responses: Yes: 76% (607) No: 12% (96) Not sure: 12% (97) Americans think the government should need a warrant before purchasing data from data brokers Question: Should Congress pass a law that requires government agencies to obtain warrants before purchasing location information, internet records, and other sensitive data about people in the U.S. from data brokers? Responses: Yes: 80% (636) No: 10% (78) Not sure: 11% (86) Americans do not support enshrining new protections just for members of Congress, while leaving everyday Americans exposed Also notable is that there was only one category of new privacy protections that most Americans did not support — and it is a key provision of the spy agencies’ proposal that is pending before Congress: A majority of those who express an opinion oppose language that would enact new privacy protections exclusively for members of Congress, without also protecting everyday Americans. Question: Should members of Congress strengthen privacy protections for their personal information if they do...