Pew Research has a new survey on Americans’ privacy habits in a post-Snowden world.
The 87% of those who had heard at least something about the programs were asked follow-up questions about their own behaviors and privacy strategies: 34% of those who are aware of the surveillance programs (30% of all adults) have taken at least one step to hide or shield their information from the government. For instance, 17% changed their privacy settings on social media; 15% use social media less often; 15% have avoided certain apps and 13% have uninstalled apps; 14% say they speak more in person instead of communicating online or on the phone; and 13% have avoided using certain terms in online communications. […] 25% of those who are aware of the surveillance programs (22% of all adults) say they have changed the patterns of their own use of various technological platforms “a great deal” or “somewhat” since the Snowden revelations. For instance, 18% say they have changed the way they use email “a great deal” or “somewhat”; 17% have changed the way they use search engines; 15% say they have changed the way they use social media sites such as Twitter and Facebook; and 15% have changed the way they use their cell phones.
Also interesting are the people who have not changed their behavior because they’re afraid that it would lead to more surveillance. From pages 22-23 of the report:
Still, others said they avoid taking more advanced privacy measures because they believe that taking such measures could make them appear suspicious:“There’s no point in inviting scrutiny if it’s not necessary.” “I didn’t significantly change anything. It’s more like trying to avoid anything questionable, so as not to be scrutinized unnecessarily. “[I] don’t want them misunderstanding something and investigating me.”