Survey shows 83% believe Internet access should be a basic human right Credit: ThinkStock An international survey of Internet users has found that more than 39% have taken steps to protect their online privacy and security as a result of spying revelations by one-time NSA employee Edward Snowden. The survey, conducted by the Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI), found that 43% of Internet users now avoid certain websites and applications and 39% change their passwords regularly. The survey reached 23,376 Internet users in 24 countries and was conducted between Oct. 7 and Nov. 12. The countries in the survey included Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, Great Britain, Japan and the United States. Cryptographer and computer security specialist Bruce Schneier lamented how the survey’s findings have been portrayed, with some pointing out how few people were affected by Snowden’s actions or even know his name. “The press is mostly spinning this as evidence that Snowden has not had an effect: “merely 39%,” “only 39%,” and so on,” Schneier wrote in a blog. The news articles, “are completely misunderstanding the data,” Schneier said, pointing to the fact that the survey found that 39% of Internet users in the world have heard of Snowden. Snowden’s whistleblowing on the NSA is having an enormous impact, Schneier wrote. “I ran the actual numbers country by country, combining data on Internet penetration with data from this survey. Multiplying everything out, I calculate that 706 million people have changed their behavior on the Internet because of what the NSA and GCHQ [a British intelligence and security organization] are doing. Two-thirds (64%) of users indicated they are more concerned today about online privacy than they were a year ago. When given a choice of various governance sources to effectively run the world-wide Internet, a majority (57%) chose the multi-stakeholder option — a “combined body of technology companies, engineers, non-governmental organizations and institutions that represent the interests and will of ordinary citizens, and governments.” A majority (54%) indicated they would also trust an international body of engineers and technical experts to store their online data, while only 36% of users would trust the United States to play an important role in running the Internet. Nearly three-quarters (72%) of the Internet users surveyed indicated they want their online data and personal information to be physically stored on a secure server in their own country. Those surveyed also indicated that 64% are concerned about government censorship of the Internet and 62% are worried about government agencies from countries other than the U.S. secretly monitoring their online activities Sixty-one percent indicated they are concerned about police or other government agencies from their own country secretly monitoring their online activities. Another notable finding: that 83% of users believe that affordable access to the Internet should be a basic human right. Related content news analysis Apple earnings: About that iPhone 'slump' in China Based on information from Thursday's earnings report, it seems that data pointing to an iPhone slump in China were over-baked. By Jonny Evans May 03, 2024 9 mins iMac iPhone Apple news Microsoft begins to phase out ‘classic’ Teams Microsoft is encouraging Teams customers to move to the new, faster version of the collaboration app; the older version will be switched off next year. By Matthew Finnegan May 03, 2024 3 mins Microsoft Teams Collaboration Software Productivity Software news analysis Apple confirms it will open up the iPad in Europe this fall The latest efforts to comply with Europe’s Digital Markets Act mean developers can offer to side load apps to both iPhones and iPads in the EU. Apple has also taken steps to improve what it offers to smaller and non-commercial developers in the By Jonny Evans May 02, 2024 6 mins iPad Apple Mobile Apps news Udacity offers laid-off US workers free access to its courses for 30 days Sign-ups will be available over the next 30 days By Lucas Mearian May 02, 2024 4 mins Technology Industry IT Jobs IT Skills Podcasts Videos Resources Events SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER From our editors straight to your inbox Get started by entering your email address below. Please enter a valid email address Subscribe