Monica Jackson
A Unisys-sponsored study has unveiled that most Americans are hesitant to share their personal information with the government in a virtual environment for fear of privacy infringement.
Among 2K respondents, two-thirds said they are concerned of how the government uses and protects their data, Unisys said Friday.
Mark Forman, global public sector head at Unisys, said the incidence of a large number of respondents reluctant to engage with agencies online implies that the government should further ensure citizens that their data will be protected and used appropriately for their benefit.
He added there is a need for federal organizations to focus first on safety and privacy when handling citizens’ personal information.
Meanwhile, a third of the respondents said they prefer to engage with the government through a single mobile application.
The survey participants also said they prefer to use computers or tablets to perform complex tasks such as paying taxes or renewing licenses, while some would use their smartphones for less complex businesses such as inquiring about general information or reporting incidents.
“This survey shows a growing acceptance among large percentages of U.S. citizens for connecting with government using smartphones and tablets,” Forman said.
The survey was conducted between May and June in eight states, namely California, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Texas, Virginia, Hawaii and Washington.
