The internet has come a long way and its usage has drastically increased over the past decade. It was discovered that by 2018, about 98% of Americans between ages 18 to 29 used the internet and about 97% of adults ages between 30 to 40 were internet users. Internet usage has also increased from 38% to 68% among older Americans from age 65 and above.
You've probably ready about the 'disadvantages' of the internet and there are some fair arguments about them. The internet has become a briefcase of personal and sensitive information. From banking details, addresses, passwords to your credit card information, everything is stored digitally these days and with stubborn scammers and cybercriminals, people find that their data being unsafe over the web.
When it comes to Americans, 2 in 3 people think that having complete online privacy is impossible. Facebook's popular Cambridge Analytica scandal has raised many questions and around 78%of people have changed their online activities, but what is their take on brands that have a hold of their data?
The Best VPN surveyed more than 1,000 people to find out how Americans think of an internet bill of rights. And it comes as no surprise that about half of Americans believe that internet users should hold the right to their data and be able to change or delete it from any brand, however, this not all they are worried about.
Is it Time for the Internet Bill of Rights?
There is an ongoing debate about whether the internet is a right or a privilege and 61% of people who took the survey say that the internet is a right. About 67% of people with affiliation with the Democratic party say that internet usage is a right while 58% of independents and 53% of Republicans have the same opinion.The U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights protect the rights and freedom of American citizens, and while the bill covers almost all aspects of the idea of life and liberty, it misses out on the Internet, well that's fair because the time it was drafted the internet was almost non-existent.
So should there be an internet bill of rights now? More than half of Americans believe that there should be laws regarding the rights and usage of the internet while 2 in 5 Americans think that such a law would be unnecessary.
All 50 states of the U.S. have added legislations about businesses' responsibilities when it comes to the data they have collected, but no state has achieved a lot in this regard than California which released the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) effective Jan 1, 2020, that focuses on new levels of privacy and protection of internet users.
Read the infographic below to find out all you need to know about the Internet Bill of Rights.
