Invasion of Privacy: Survey Shows 82% of Americans Have Engaged in Digital Snooping

Have you ever felt the urge to take a quick look at a friend or partner’s phone while they’re away? You’re not alone. A recent survey conducted by Secure Data Recovery, a data recovery firm, found that 82% of Americans admit to having snooped on someone else’s device at some point in their lives. Even more surprising, of those who admitted to snooping, a staggering 81% claimed that they were never caught in the act.

Have you ever monitored and controlled someone else?

According to a study by Secure Data Recovery, snooping on someone else’s digital device is a widespread phenomenon in the United States. 82% of Americans surveyed admitted to having snooped on someone else’s phone, tablet, or computer. Interestingly, while general curiosity (59%) was the most common reason for snooping, suspicions of wrongdoing (56%) were also cited as a significant motivator.

The study suggests that the ease and accessibility of digital snooping may explain why it is so prevalent. As long as a device is unlocked, almost anyone with even basic knowledge of its operation can access texts, emails, photos, and documents within seconds. The majority of people who snoop (87%) do so to look at messages, including texts, emails, and social media DMs. Messages from friends are of particular interest.

When it comes to snooping on romantic partners, 53% of snoopers reported finding something incriminating or concerning. This included evidence of in-person infidelity or digital flirting and cheating.

Despite the dishonorable nature of snooping, the study found that over a third of those who admitted to snooping did not feel any regret or remorse afterward, suggesting that they either felt justified in their actions or were comfortable with snooping as a behavior. In light of these findings, it is advisable to secure all digital devices with a passcode. The study surveyed 1,003 people across the United States.