The report, issued by the Cornell Brooks School Tech Policy Institute, the Bitcoin Policy Institute, and Fedi, shows that Republicans, Democrats, and Independents hold near-identical views on data security. When forced to choose, roughly 60% of respondents in every political group favored privacy over convenience, while approximately half prioritized it over crime prevention measures. This alignment extends to oversight, with nearly 80% of all participants asserting that only they and their banks should have access to their financial records.

Public skepticism toward data collection is pervasive. Roughly 68% of Americans advocate for an opt-in standard, demanding that financial data remain uncollected or strictly subject to explicit, recurring consent. This apprehension is not limited to a single entity; majorities expressed significant concern regarding data access by federal agencies, foreign governments, and technology corporations. Sarah Kreps, director of the Tech Policy Institute at Cornell, noted that the findings reflect a shared conviction that transcends typical political debates.

Beyond theoretical beliefs, the survey indicates that privacy concerns actively influence consumer behavior. When selecting payment platforms, users weigh data-sharing practices as heavily as price and merchant acceptance. Furthermore, the threat of privacy violations carries real-world consequences for service providers, as 74% of respondents stated they would close or switch accounts following a serious breach. While many Americans have already taken steps to safeguard their information—such as opting out of app data requests or relying on cash—the report highlights a persistent gap between their stated privacy values and the adoption of advanced digital security tools.