Data Mining

Public Is Wary About Internet Tracking

A large majority of consumers polled are concerned about having their activities tracked online. In a survey that Zogby International conducted for Precursor, consumers were concerned enough about online privacy that most people said they’d support a Do Not Track list similar to the Do Not Call list that bars telemarketers from contacting consumers.

Here’s what the survey of 2,111 adults found.

81% said they are somewhat or very concerned about their Web-surfing habits being tracked.
88% said it is unfair for companies to track surfing habits without permission.
91% said it is unfair for Internet companies to relax their privacy policies after collecting personal information from users.
88% said consumers should have the same privacy protections online as they have off-line.
79% said they favor a Do Not Track list

Source: Zogby International

Mobile Users Feel Safe

Most mobile device users polled worldwide say they feel safe using the devices for sensitive transactions such as boarding airlines, paying for low-cost items and banking online, according to a study by Unisys.

Here are the percentages by country of respondents who said they are comfortable using mobile devices for such transactions.

United States: 83%
Spain: 80%
United Kingdom: 75%
Germany: 52%
Belgium: 51%
Netherlands: 49%
Brazil: 47%

Source: Unisys

Telecommuting Views Don't Match Reality

Although most federal employees view telework favorably, the government lags considerably behind the private sector when it comes to the number of employees who regularly telework. A survey of 177 information technology executives from the federal government and private sector in the Washington, D.C., area found:

23% of federal employees telework regularly or exclusively.
64% of private-sector employees telework regularly.

91% of federal employees feel their duties qualify them for telework.
95% of federal employees view telework favorably.
93% of federal employees say the ability to telework makes an organization a more desirable place to work.

Source: FedScoop