A new Consumers Reports survey finds 71% of
respondents are very concerned about online companies selling or sharing information about them without their permission. More than half said they were likewise very concerned about advertisers
targeting kids with personalized ads based on data collected while they browse the Web.
Beyond that, people were worried about companies holding on to user data, even when they don't need it
anymore, and collecting data about their online activities and purchases being used to deny employment or affect their ability to get a loan.
When it comes to smartphone owners, 65% were very
concerned that apps could access their contacts, photos, location and other data on their devices without permission. The finding come in the wake of a Federal Trade Commission report last month
calling for Congress to consider enacting general privacy legislation as well as new regulations governing data security and breach notification legislation.