Internet Behavior Has Changed After Snowden Fallout

Published at 4:35 am, March 17, 2015

EastIdahoNews.com Staff

The Guardian via Getty Images(WASHINGTON) — About one in three Americans have become more cautious about their Internet behavior since former National Security Agency contractor Edward Snowden revealed the government’s massive intelligence gathering of emails and texts back in June 2013.

According to a survey by the Pew Research Center, 34 percent of respondents said they took at least one additional action to keep their online activities better protected.

Of that group, a quarter switched to stronger passwords while almost two in ten have altered their usage of emails.

Other modified behaviors included either adjusting social media settings or abandoning these sites altogether; eschewing certain search engines and apps; and even returning to face-to-face conversations when speaking about personal matters.

Nonetheless, Pew found that 90 percent of those who have taken steps to maintain some privacy online haven’t used the most effective measures available such as do-not-track, encryption and anonymity software.

SUBMIT A CORRECTION