Trust in organisations to store data
Q. Under new national security laws phone and internet records of all Australians will be held for two years. How much trust do you have in the following organisations to store your personal data safely and in a way that would prevent abuse?
Total a lot/some trust |
Total little/no trust |
|
A lot of trust |
Some trust |
Little trust |
No trust |
Don’t know |
|
Security agencies such as the Australian Federal Police, local police and ASIO |
53% |
42% |
17% |
36% |
22% |
20% |
4% |
|
The Government |
42% |
54% |
8% |
34% |
27% |
27% |
4% |
|
Telecommunications companies and internet service providers |
32% |
63% |
3% |
29% |
32% |
31% |
5% |
|
Other private companies |
20% |
70% |
1% |
19% |
28% |
42% |
10% |
53% have a lot or some trust in security agencies to store personal data safely and in a way that would prevent abuse – although only 17% have a lot of trust.
A majority have little or no trust in the Government (54%), telecommunications companies and internet service providers (63%) and other private companies (70%) to safely store personal data.
Retaining telephone and internet records
Q. Do you approve or disapprove of the government proposal to require telecommunications companies and internet service providers to retain records of your telephone and internet activity for intelligence and criminal investigation purposes?
Total |
|
Vote Labor |
Vote Lib/Nat |
Vote Greens |
Vote Other |
|
Total approve |
39% |
31% |
59% |
15% |
26% |
|
Total disapprove |
51% |
58% |
33% |
80% |
64% |
|
Strongly approve |
10% |
6% |
18% |
2% |
6% |
|
Approve |
29% |
25% |
41% |
13% |
20% |
|
Disapprove |
21% |
22% |
18% |
28% |
22% |
|
Strongly disapprove |
30% |
36% |
15% |
52% |
42% |
|
Don’t know |
11% |
10% |
9% |
5% |
9% |
39% approve of the government proposal to require telecommunications companies and internet service providers to retain records of your telephone and internet activity for intelligence and criminal investigation purposes and 51% disapprove.
80% of Greens voters and 58% of Labor voters disapprove while 59% of Liberal/National voters approve.
64% of respondents aged 18-34 disapprove while 54% of those aged 55+ approve.
Trust in safety of personal data
Q. How much trust do you have in the government and telecommunications companies and internet service providers to store retained personal data safely and in a way that would prevent abuse?
Total |
|
Vote Labor |
Vote Lib/Nat |
Vote Greens |
Vote Other |
|
Total lot/some trust |
26% |
18% |
45% |
5% |
17% |
|
Total little/no trust |
68% |
77% |
50% |
91% |
82% |
|
A lot of trust |
6% |
5% |
11% |
– |
3% |
|
Some trust |
20% |
13% |
34% |
5% |
14% |
|
A little trust |
23% |
20% |
26% |
23% |
20% |
|
No trust |
45% |
57% |
24% |
68% |
62% |
|
Don’t know |
6% |
5% |
5% |
4% |
2% |
68% say they have little or no trust in the government and telecommunications companies and internet service providers to store retained personal data safely and in a way that would prevent abuse and 26% have a lot or some trust.
Those with highest levels of trust were Liberal/National voters (45%) and people aged 65+ (44%).
Opinion of retaining personal information
Q. Which of the following statements is closest to your view?
Total |
|
Vote Labor |
Vote Lib/Nat |
Vote Greens |
Vote Other |
|
Governments having access to personal telephone and internet information is necessary to protect society from terrorist or criminal actions. |
37% |
23% |
62% |
17% |
26% |
|
Governments are increasingly using the argument about terrorism to collect and store personal data and information, and this is a dangerous direction for society |
49% |
63% |
27% |
80% |
60% |
|
Don’t know |
13% |
14% |
11% |
3% |
14% |
49% of respondents agreed more with the statement that “Governments are increasingly using the argument about terrorism to collect and store personal data and information, and this is a dangerous direction for society “ and 37% agreed more with “Governments having access to personal telephone and internet information is necessary to protect society from terrorist or criminal actions”.
A majority of Liberal/National voters (62%) agreed more with “Governments having access to personal telephone and internet information is necessary to protect society from terrorist or criminal actions” while all other voter groups agreed more with the alternative statement.
55% of those aged 55+ also agreed more with the first statement and a majority of all other age groups agreed more with the second.

COVID-19 RESEARCH
Read Essential's ongoing research on the public response to Covid-19.
Essential Report
In this week's report:
- Performance of Scott Morrison
- Performance of Anthony Albanese
- Preferred Prime Minister
- Views towards re-electing the federal Coalition government
- Party trust to handle issues
- Importance of Australia’s international reputation
- Scott Morrison’s impact on Australia’s international reputation
- Views towards Australia’s international reputation
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