Most Consumers Want More Control Over How Their Online Information Is
Collected & Used

    WASHINGTON, Sept. 25 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A poll released today
by the Consumer Reports National Research Center shows that most Americans
are very concerned about what is being done with their personal information
online. According to the poll, 82 percent of consumers are concerned about
their credit card numbers being stolen online, while 72 percent are
concerned that their online behaviors were being tracked and profiled by
companies.

    Although 68 percent of consumers have provided personal information in
order to access a website, 53 percent are uncomfortable with internet
companies using their email content or browsing history to send relevant
ads, and 54 percent are uncomfortable with third parties collecting
information about their online behavior.

    The poll revealed that 93 percent of Americans think internet companies
should always ask for permission before using personal information and 72
percent want the right to opt out when companies track their online
behavior.

    "Americans are clearly concerned with how their personal information is
being collected and used by internet companies," said Joel Kelsey, policy
analyst with Consumers Union. "The vast majority of consumers want more
control over their personal information online and want the ability to stop
internet companies from tracking and profiling them."

    The Consumer Reports poll shows that consumers are trying to take steps
to limit the information that is being collected and shared about them
online. For example, over one-third (35%) use alternate email addresses to
avoid providing real information; over one-quarter (26%) have used software
that hides their identity; and one-quarter have provided fake information
to access a website (25%).

    Consumers are aware that information about their surfing habits is
being collected online, but many are not aware of what companies are able
to do with their information. Among the other findings of the poll:



    --  61% are confident that what they do online is private and not shared
        without their permission;
    --  57% incorrectly believe that companies must identify themselves and
        indicate why they are collecting data and whether they intend to share
        it with other organizations;
    --  48% incorrectly believe their consent is required for companies to use
        the personal information they collect from online activities;
    --  43% incorrectly believe a court order is required to monitor activities
        online.
    Recent questions have been raised about third-party companies, such as
NebuAd, that work with internet providers to track and then sell
information about consumers' online activity without their knowledge.

    "Many consumers have misconceptions about the information available
about them and how commonly it is sold by companies without their
knowledge," said Kelsey. "Our poll makes clear that consumers want more
control over the treasure trove of information companies are collecting
about their activities online."

    The Consumer Reports National Research Center conducted a telephone
survey of a nationally representative probability sample of telephone
households. A total of 2006 interviews were completed among adults 18+.
Interviewing took place over July 24-27, 2008. The margin of error is +/-
2.2 percentage points at a 95 percent confidence level.

    Consumers Union, publisher of Consumer Reports, is an independent,
nonprofit testing and information organization serving only the consumer.
We are a comprehensive source of unbiased advice about products and
services, personal finance, health nutrition, and other consumer concerns.
Since 1936, our mission has been to test products, inform the public, and
protect consumers.

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