Following the terror attacks on Charlie Hebdo in Paris, Americans believe it more important for the government to investigate threats than to protect privacy, according to a recently released Washington Post-ABC News poll.
Overall, 63 percent of respondents said that they would forgo personal privacy in order to allow the government to investigate possible terror threats. Only 32 percent deemed it more important to preserve privacy.
However, younger Americans appear to put more value on personal privacy than do their elder counterparts. Among respondents ages 18-39, 52 percent favored the investigation of terror threats, while 45 percent put more weight on privacy.
In comparison, 67 percent of those ages 40-64 labeled investigating threats more important, as did 75 percent of individuals age 65 and older.
There is also no significant gap between Republican and Democrat opinions on the issue. Approximately seven out of 10 individuals in either party put the investigation of terror threats over privacy.
The poll also surveyed respondents on the job that President Obama is doing to combat terrorism threats like those coming from ISIS in the Middle East.
The public appears to be split on Obama’s effectiveness when it comes to terror threats; while 47 percent of respondents said they approve of the way in which the president is handling threats, 45 percent expressed disapproval.
Nevertheless, a majority of Americans — 76 percent — are worried about the potential for terror attacks on the United States. Twenty-three percent, however, are not worried.
The poll was conducted between January 12 and 15.
