Two-thirds of Americans think internet access is a privilege

President Trump's signing of bill overturning the FCC's planned internet privacy protections, allowing ISPs to track and sell consumers' online information to third parties with greater ease has generated a storm among privacy advocates.

It also prompted AnchorFree, the company behind the Hotspot Shield VPN, to carry out a survey of over 2,000 US consumers to gauge sentiment toward the internet and privacy.

Among key findings are that over two-thirds of Americans (68 percent) belive internet access is a privilege while only 32 percent think it's a human right. Of those that think access is a privilege, 42 percent say ISPs are responsible for safe and secure access, while for those who believe it’s a right, 41 percent say the government is responsible.

"Our survey finds that the majority of consumers are concerned in the aftermath of the Federal Communications Commission's rollback of internet privacy protections," says David Gorodyansky, founder and CEO of AnchorFree. "At this juncture, it's clear that neither government nor the private sector is taking responsibility for consumers’ online privacy. It now squarely rests on each individual to actively manage their own privacy."

Over 80 percent say they're more concerned about their online security and privacy than they were a year ago, and 70 percent say they're doing more to protect their privacy. While the majority of consumers take precautions like changing passwords and not opening suspicious emails, only one in five use more sophisticated solutions like VPNs.

"As more connected devices emerge and threats to internet freedom persist, it’s imperative for Americans to learn about online privacy protection options and take personal responsibility for safeguarding their health, wealth and family. They otherwise risk the misuse of this data by hackers and third party companies," adds Gorodyansky.

You can find out more about the findings in the full report available from the AnchorFree website.

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