MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Privacy concerns in the United States escalated after former NSA contractor Edward Snowden exposed the NSA's practice of degrading private technology and communications companies' hardware to gain access to private data in a series of high-profile leaks beginning in 2013.
"34 percent of those who are aware of the surveillance programs (30 percent of all adults) have taken at least one step to hide or shield their information from the government," the Pew Research Center said in a report on the poll.
In order to prevent their private information from being exposed, respondents change their privacy settings on social media, they use social media less frequently, avoid and uninstall certain apps, speak more in person instead of communicating online or on the phone and avoid using certain terms online.
Besides, 57 percent of respondents said it is unacceptable for the government to monitor the communications of US citizens.
On Wednesday, Freedom House stated that NSA mass surveillance program infringes on privacy rights and freedom of expression.
Edward Snowden left the United States in 2013 after leaking confidential data about secret surveillance programs conducted by the NSA and other intelligence agencies.
