Martech: Martech is Marketing Logo
  • Topics
    Digital Transformation
    Marketing Operations
    Data
    Customer & Digital Experience
    Performance Marketing
    Marketing Management
    Special Reports
    MarTech Topics
  • Conference
  • Webinars
  • Intelligence Reports
  • White Papers
  • What is MarTech
    Mission
    Staff
    Newsletter
    Search Engine Land
    Third Door Media

Processing...Please wait.

MarTech » Data » Majority In US Don’t Know What “Privacy Policy” Really Means

Majority In US Don’t Know What “Privacy Policy” Really Means

Most Americans can identify Bill Gates and know that hashtags are associated with Twitter. However less than half of US adults understand that having a privacy policy doesn’t mean all user information is kept confidential. These survey findings come from a Pew Research “Web IQ” quiz fielded in September among 1,066 adult internet users. The quiz featured a range of questions on […]

Greg Sterling on November 25, 2014 at 10:00 am

computer-security-lock-privacy-ss-1920

Most Americans can identify Bill Gates and know that hashtags are associated with Twitter. However less than half of US adults understand that having a privacy policy doesn’t mean all user information is kept confidential.

These survey findings come from a Pew Research “Web IQ” quiz fielded in September among 1,066 adult internet users. The quiz featured a range of questions on internet and technology history literacy.

Pew Web IQ

The mostly fun survey was developed in honor of the web’s 25th anniversary. However it’s worth pointing out that the answer to the privacy question indicates a widespread misperception about what’s happening with personal data. As indicated a majority believed that simply having a privacy policy meant that all their data were confidential.

Here’s the question in isolation:

When a company posts a privacy policy, it ensures that the company keeps confidential all the information it collects on users:

True: 52%

False (correct): 44%

Did not answer: 3%

A privacy specific Pew survey released recently showed that large majorities felt they had lost control of their personal information online. A majority (64 percent) wanted more government regulation of online advertising accordingly.

In terms of the current Web IQ survey, younger and better-educated respondents tended to be more savvy about terms and concepts and get more of the answers right.


Opinions expressed in this article are those of the guest author and not necessarily MarTech. Staff authors are listed here.


New on MarTech

    Processes, visibility and optimization: The keys to digital marketing transformation
    Webinar: Grow revenue streams through web accessibility and compliance
    How to turn the great buyer resignation into B2B career opportunities
    HubSpot customers paying 12% more than in 2021
    Closing your team’s technical gap without hiring

About The Author

Greg Sterling
Greg Sterling is a Contributing Editor to Search Engine Land, a member of the programming team for SMX events and the VP, Market Insights at Uberall.

Related Topics

DataMarketing ManagementPerformance Marketing

Get the daily newsletter digital marketers rely on.

Processing...Please wait.

See terms.

ATTEND OUR EVENTS The MarTech Conference logo.

September 28-29, 2022: Fall

Start Training Now: Master Classes

Start Discovering Now: Spring



The SMX Conference logo.

Start Training Now:: SMX Advanced

November 14-15, 2022: SMX Next

March 8-9, 2022: Master Classes

Webinars

Agencies: Grow Revenue Streams Through Web Accessibility & Compliance

Protect Your Paid Advertising Spend Against Ad Fraud and Invalid Traffic

Build an Integrated Search Strategy Across Google, Amazon and YouTube

See More Webinars
Intelligence Reports

Enterprise SEO Platforms: A Marketer’s Guide

Enterprise Identity Resolution Platforms

Email Marketing Platforms: A Marketer’s Guide

See More Intelligence Reports
Featured White Paper

Digital Marketing Strategy Ebook

See More Whitepapers

Receive daily marketing news & analysis.

Processing...Please wait.

Topics

  • Transformation
  • Operations
  • Data
  • Experience
  • Performance
  • Management
  • All Topics
  • Home

Our Events

  • MarTech
  • Search Marketing Expo - SMX

About

  • What is MarTech
  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Marketing Opportunities
  • Staff

Follow Us

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Newsletters
  • RSS

© 2022 Third Door Media, Inc. All rights reserved.