Americans Are Now More Concerned About The Government Spying On Them Than Protection From Terrorism

Concerns over civil liberties topped protection from terrorism for the first time since Pew Research began polling this question in 2004.

A Pew Research poll found that 47% of respondents were more concerned that the government's anti-terrorism policies have gone too far in restricting the average person’s civil liberties, while only 35% were concerned they didn't go far enough.

The poll also found 70% of Americans believe the government is collecting their data for other purposes other than anti-terror.

More Democrats approved of government collection of phone and internet data than Republicans.

But both Democrats and Republicans are about equal in perceiving the government's anti-terrorism programs as restricting civil liberties too much.

Skip to footer