Policy

Poll: 66 Percent OK With Obama Administration Collecting Internet Data

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Reason

Although Obama's approval rating has taken a hit thanks in part to the ongoing NSA, IRS, and DOJ scandals a recent CNN poll indicates that most Americans think that it is "right" that the Obama administration collect and analyze data on internet use.

From The Weekly Standard:

A new CNN poll finds that 66 percent of American adults believe that it's "right" for the Obama administration to analyze and collect Internet data. Only 33 percent believe the action is "wrong," and 1 percent have "No opinion."

"[F]or the past few years the Obama administration has reportedly been gathering and analyzing information from major internet companies about audio and video chats, photographs, e-mails and documents involving people in other countries in an attempt to locate suspected terrorists. The government reportedly does not target internet usage by U.S. citizens and if such data is collected, it is kept under strict controls," reads the poll question. "Do you think the Obama administration was right or wrong in gathering and analyzing that internet data?"

On phone call information, the public is a little less enthusiastic, but still supportive. Fifty-one percent believe the Obama administration is "right," 48 percent believe the administration is "wrong," and 1 percent have "No opinion."

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