Most New Zealanders don't mind Big Brother taking a closer look at our roads, motorways and credit cards, but are uneasy about the Government snooping on personal emails, according to a recent survey.
The research, by Unisys Security Index, found 86 percent of New Zealanders supported greater police surveillance of roads and motorways while69 percent were in favour of banks increasing surveillance of credit card use.
"The research findings show New Zealanders' support towards increased surveillance varies significantly depending on the context: who is conducting surveillance of what activity and, we suspect, the perceived personal benefit of the activity,'' Unisys managing director Brett Hodgson said.
An additional question was asked to see whether people were in favour or not of increasing surveillance in the following circumstances:
• employers increasing surveillance of a worker's internet usage.
• the Government increasing surveillance of personal internet usage.
• banks increasing surveillance of people's credit card usage.
• police increasing surveillance on roads and motorways.
The highest level of support for increased surveillance was on roads and motorways, with 86 percent of the 532 respondents aged 18 years and over in favour, perhaps reflecting a desire for even greater safety on the nation's roads, Mr Hodgson said.
Similarly, high support was recorded for increased surveillance by banks of credit card usage. The desire for increased security in this area was backed up by figures which showed 55 percent of people were extremely or very concerned about other people obtaining their credit or debit card details, making it the top security concern overall for New Zealanders, Mr Hodgson said.
"Yet when it came to increasing government surveillance of personal internet use, only 39 percent of those surveyed are in favour while 55 percent are opposed.''
Meanwhile, 62 percent of respondents were in favour of employers increasing employee internet surveillance, and 30 percent were not in favour.
"This comparatively moderate level of support suggests that while people may not like the idea, they tolerate and understand the right of an employer to know how their equipment is being used,'' Mr Hodgson said.
"What is clear from this research is that New Zealanders hold divergent attitudes to surveillance depending on the context in which it is used and the public's perception of the perceived benefits or otherwise,'' he said.
