Techlash? America's Growing Concern With Major Tech Companies

A new Knight Foundation and Gallup study confirms that, for Americans, the techlash is real, widespread, and bipartisan. From concerns about the spread of misinformation to election interference and data privacy, we’ve documented the deep pessimism of folks across the political spectrum who believe tech companies have too much power — and that they do more harm than good. Some findings:

1. Americans have largely negative views of major internet and technology companies' impact on society. 74% of Americans are very concerned about the spread of misinformation on the internet. Despite a partisan gap, majorities of both Democrats (84%) and Republicans (65%) are very concerned about this issue.
2. The public (77%) believes internet and technology companies have too much power — a sentiment held across all demographic and political groups
3. Americans distrust social media companies to make the right decisions about their content but are divided on the role of government to regulate them
4. Americans across the political and demographic spectrum say political leaders are not paying enough attention to technology issues. 59% of Americans believe elected officials and political candidates are paying “too little” attention to issues dealing with technology and technology companies.