ICYMI: WSJ/NBC Poll Finds Most Americans Oppose More Regulation Of Tech Services
A new poll from The Wall Street Journal and NBC finds Americans have “only a limited appetite for new government oversight” of leading tech services. Consistent with polls run in the past, WSJ/NBC find 51 percent of Americans said there was either too much or just the right amount of tech industry regulation right now.
The poll is just the latest example in a string of surveys exemplifying the disconnect between everyday consumers of technology and DC insiders. A 2017 study found consumers overwhelmingly believe leading tech services to have a positive impact on their communities. In January, Wired reported tech companies had retained Americans’ trust even in an era of eroding faith in institutions. A series of polls conducted by Morning Consult revealed users remained steady in their appreciation for tech services despite increasing pundit antagonism.
And why wouldn’t consumers feel positively about tech products and services?
—Consumers have access to more choice than ever before at lower prices and with zero switching costs.
—What’s more, studies from Pew Research show the typical American uses three of the eight leading social media platforms.
—And consumers feel the benefits at a more macro level: According to the Department of Commerce, employment in the digital economy has been growing at an average annual rate of 3.7 percent – higher than the overall economy’s 1.7 percent.
WSJ/NBC Poll Finds 51 Percent Of Americans Feel There Is Either Too Much Or Just The Right Amount Of Regulation Of Tech Services Right Now. Congress is “debating new regulation of social media companies, but a Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll finds that Americans have only a limited appetite for new government oversight of social media companies.” (Janet Hook, “No Overwhelming Support for More Online Regulation, Poll Finds,” The Wall Street Journal, 4/16/18)
WSJ/NBC Poll respondents say social media platforms are…
regulated too much: 14%
have the right amount of regulation: 37%
not regulated enough: 37%
Wired Reports That Leading Tech Services Have Retained Americans’ Trust Even In An Era Of Eroding Faith In Institutions. “But as Americans’ trust in nearly every institution dissipates, one industry seems insulated: Tech. That’s right, Americans still trust tech companies. Specifically, 75 percent of those surveyed said they trusted the tech industry to ‘do what is right,’ a percentage that has remained nearly unchanged for five years. According to the poll, tech is the most trusted industry in America.” (Jessi Hempel, “At Davos, Big Tech Is Waiting For Its Grace Period To Run Out,” Wired, 1/27/18)
Of The Brands Ranked In Prophet’s Third Annual Brand Relevance Index, “All Of The Top 10 Are Tech-Led.” “First, technology brands continue to dominate, and all of the top 10 are tech-led. But what propels them to the top isn’t so much digital prowess as the ability to give people experiences that are immersive and enjoyable. Consumers live, work and play in a connected, digital world, so the brands that deliver useful, accessible and enjoyable digital experiences are going to be the most relevant to their lives.” (Scott Davis, Forbes, 10/19/17)
Brand Finance Notes That Tech Brands Are The Most Valuable Globally. “For the first time since the inception of the Brand Finance Global 500 study, technology brands claim all top 5 places in the league table.” (Brand Finance, “Global 500 2018,” 2/18)