A survey of Internet users in 24 countries has found that 83% believe affordable access to the Internet should be a basic human right, according to the “CIGI-Ipsos Global Survey on Internet Security and Trust.” The results of the new survey, commissioned by the Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI) and conducted by global research company Ipsos, were presented today in Ottawa, Canada.

According to responses, two thirds of Internet users are more concerned today about online privacy than they were compared to one year ago (64%). When given a choice of various governance sources for the Internet, the majority (57%) chose multi-stakeholder model “of technology companies, engineers, non-governmental organizations and institutions that represent the interests and will of ordinary citizens, and governments.”

The survey of 23,326 users was carried out between October 7 and November 12, 2014 in: Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Egypt, France, Germany, Great Britain, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, Poland, South Africa, South Korea, Sweden, Tunisia, Turkey and the United State

How much do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Affordable access to the Internet should be a basic human right / Base: All Respondents. Total (n=23,376)
Source: CIGI-IPSOS Global Survey on Internet Security and Trust

Summary of findings highlighted below:

On access:

• 83% believe affordable access to the Internet should be a basic human right.
• 81% say the Internet is important for their own economic future and livelihood.

On privacy and monitoring:

• 64% are concerned about their online privacy compared to one year ago.
• 36% believe private information on the Internet is very secure.
• 74% are concerned about private companies monitoring online activities and selling that information for commercial purposes without explicit consent.
• 62% are concerned about government agencies from other countries secretly monitoring their online activity
• 61% are concerned about their government agencies secretly monitoring their online activity

On cyber attacks and censorship:

• 72% are concerned about important institutions in their country being cyber-attacked by a foreign government or terrorist organization.
• 78% are concerned about a criminal hacking into their personal bank accounts.
• 77% are concerned about someone hacking into their online accounts and stealing personal information like photos and private messages.
• 64% are concerned about governments censoring the Internet.

On governance:

• 57% would trust a combined body of technology companies, engineers, non-governmental organizations and institutions that represent the interests and will or ordinary citizens and governments to play an important role in running the Internet.
• 47% would trust their own government to play an important role in running the Internet.