Final answer:
A substantial number of consumers are concerned about data privacy, with 79% worried about company usage and 64% about government usage. Many feel they lack control over their data, compounded by notable data breaches. Consumers take steps to educate themselves about rights and policies, but feelings of vulnerability persist.
Step-by-step explanation:
How much consumers care about their data privacy varies, but survey data from the Pew Research Center suggests substantial concern. Approximately 79 percent of consumers are concerned about how companies use their data, with 64 percent expressing concern for government use of their data.
Many feel that their personal information is constantly collected as they go about their day—a sentiment held by 62 percent for companies and 63 percent for the government. Notably, 81 percent of people feel they have little control over the data collected by companies, and 84 percent are of the same opinion regarding government data collection.
Moreover, large-scale breaches, such as those experienced by Target and Verizon, have only heightened these concerns. With increasing online activity, consumers also face a growing threat from criminals intent on stealing personal information. This has spurred various responses, from reading privacy policies carefully to becoming knowledgeable about privacy rights. Despite this, a sense of inevitable vulnerability persists due to the expansive reach of digital connectivity and varying levels of online security.
Consumers' concerns and measures taken to protect data privacy showcase an ongoing tension between personal privacy, cybersecurity, and institutional regulations.