Majority of US Citizens Concerned About Email Security and AI, as Distrust in Big Tech and Government Grows

At StartMail, we recently conducted a survey to better understand the sentiments and concerns of US citizens on the topic of privacy. The results revealed that 95% of Americans are deeply concerned about the impact of AI on personal privacy, and over two-thirds worry about the security of their emails, as phishing scams and data breaches continue to rise. The survey results are based on a sample of 1,162 U.S. citizens aged 18-99.

Email Privacy Concerns on the Rise

Despite the surge of messenger apps, the privacy of email communication remains a top priority for Americans. This is unsurprising given that our email addresses are a key part of our online identity, contain a huge amount of personal information and hold the key to many other online accounts. The majority of survey respondents expressed concerns about the privacy of their email communication. In fact, a staggering 42% of respondents are uncomfortable with anyone, including spouses, friends, or authorities, accessing their inbox.

Over two-thirds of Americans Fear Email Hacks & Phishing Scams

Phishing scams, in which a cybercriminal sends a deceptive message that’s designed to fool a user into providing sensitive information, are an increasingly common method of cyber attack, and they can have devastating consequences. According to a recent report, a shocking 91% of attacks start with a phishing email.

Our survey found that a significant majority of respondents (66%) fear their email accounts being hacked, while 62% worry about falling prey to phishing scams. Nearly 65% are worried about being tracked using their email address or experiencing data breaches on email platforms.

However, despite the widespread fear of cyber attacks, 75% of respondents share their real email for subscriptions, discounts or access to content, with only 29% using disposable email alias addresses. This is surprising given that using disposable email is an effective method to prevent exposure to cybercriminals and becoming a target for phishing attacks.

A Deep Distrust of the Government and Big Tech

Trust in government agencies has eroded for half of respondents due to recent political and societal changes, with 34% experiencing a significant decrease. Another 41% expressed anxiety about potential email surveillance by government agencies and only a mere 3% would trust these agencies with access to their email inbox.

The results highlight a similar distrust towards Big Tech, with only 3% trusting these companies with access to their inbox. At the same time, across the country people continue to share their most sensitive data with Big Tech firms. For example, Gmail, the most widely used email service, collects substantial user data, and complies with tens of thousands of government requests and subpoenas every year.

Almost All Respondents Worried about AI's Impact on Personal Privacy

Nearly all respondents (95%) voice serious concerns regarding AI tools’ potential impact on personal privacy. Over 40% are very or extremely concerned about the capabilities of AI to scan and analyze personal email communications. 31.8% of respondents are moderately concerned about AI tools and worry about the potential misuse of AI tools by Big Tech companies. Another 18% are not using AI tools due to privacy concerns.

Corporate Distrust and Privacy-Conscious Consumers

About 38% of survey participants distrust companies handling their personal data, while 40% have stopped using apps or services due to privacy concerns. At the same time, 43% of respondents are unaware of options beyond Gmail and Outlook, highlighting the need for user education on privacy-focused services that can better protect their data.

StartMail has championed digital and email privacy for a decade, but as our lives are being documented like never before, privacy protection is more urgent than ever. The survey findings highlight the growing concerns about privacy and security among the American public, particularly in relation to email communication, AI tools, and Big Tech companies. It underscores the need for more transparent practices and robust security measures to protect user data.

The results are based on the polling of a random sample of 1,162 Americans via SurveyMonkey’s “Audience” program that ensures panelists are representative of the U.S. population.