Majority of Americans Don’t Trust Big Tech: ‘When a Product is Free, They Are the Product’
By Movieguide® Staff
A recent survey conducted by THE KIM KOMANDO SHOW shows that out of the 6,351 people across the U.S. to respond, 86% of participants no longer trust Big Tech companies.
“Since the onset of COVID-19, Big Tech companies have seen accelerated demand as the world has shifted to a more digitalized landscape. Across the board, the survey demonstrated that a majority of individuals worry that Big Tech has too much influence or know too much about our personal information, yet nearly 4 billion people use social media worldwide and the numbers continue to grow,” Kim Komando, the talk radio and podcast host, said. “I do have hope that Americans are finally waking up to the fact that when a product is free, they are in fact the product.”
According to the survey, 82.73% said that they think smart speakers listen non-stop without being “woken” up with specific words or phrases like “Alexa” or “Ok Google.”
Other key findings:
- Almost 60% fear that their smartphone “spies” on user information and pushes advertisements that users recently discussed. However, Komando noted that this occurrence is a coincidence.
- Moreover, 84% claimed that “personalized ads” are invasive, and 92% believe that companies like Facebook and Twitter have too much control in politics.
- As a result, the survey shows that 67% of Facebook users said that they would delete their account, knowing that their data was being tracked.
- Over 90% believe that Google has too much access to their personal lives through their online data.
Of the 6,351 people, 76% use Google daily, 60% use Microsoft, and 49% use Apple. In regards to social media, 45% of respondents said they use Facebook. Almost 90% of people said they used Amazon.com for online shopping.
“Interestingly, with the world becoming more digitalized and the news of Instagram for Kids, more than 84% of people surveyed said they would prefer their children to be over the age of 15 in order to use Instagram. Maybe we are starting to see the damage social media does to our adult lives and how it’s robbing children of a healthy, happy start to their own,” Kim Komando added.
Movieguide® recently reported on harm and potential danger social media has on adults and especially children:
Facebook recently launched a plan to create an Instagram platform for children 13 years and younger. However, 44 states opposed the idea and wrote a letter discouraging Facebook from continuing with the project.
“The attorneys general urge Facebook to abandon these plans. Use of social media can be detrimental to the health and well-being of children, who are not equipped to navigate the challenges of having a social media account,” the letter reads. “Further, Facebook has historically failed to protect the welfare of children on its platforms. The attorneys general have an interest in protecting our youngest citizens, and Facebook’s plans to create a platform where kids under the age of 13 are encouraged to share content online is contrary to that interest.”
Federal lawmakers also called into question the effects of social media on children.
The bipartisan group of AGs cited news reports and research that shows social media and Instagram, in particular, have adverse effects, including poor mental health, suicidal ideation and sexual abuse—noting that Facebook and Instagram reported 20 million child sexual abuse images in 2020.
The letter also highlights Facebook and Instagram’s lack of polish in the past. One example came in 2019 when Facebook’s Messenger Kids app for children between 6 and 12 years old “contained a significant design flaw that allowed children to circumvent restrictions on online interactions and join group chats with strangers that were not previously approved by the children’s parents.”
“It appears that Facebook is not responding to a need, but instead creating one, as this platform appeals primarily to children who otherwise do not or would not have an Instagram account,” the letter reads. “In short, an Instagram platform for young children is harmful for myriad reasons. The attorneys general urge Facebook to abandon its plans to launch this new platform.”
Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
