Washington: Most Americans disapprove of US government`s snooping of phone lines, a new study has revealed.
Americans approve of collecting phone records of only those who are suspected of terrorist activity.
The survey conducted by Sarah Dutton, Jennifer De Pinto, Anthony Salvanto and Fred Backus of CBS; found that 75 percent Americans approve of federal agencies collecting phone records of people suspected of terrorist activity while 58 percent disapprove it for ordinary Americans.
A majority of 53 percent said that collection of phone records is a necessary step to find terrorists and 73 percent approve of the practice of monitoring those living in foreign countries.
30 percent think leaking of the surveillance programme may weaken the country`s ability to prevent future terrorist attacks.
28 percent Americans are very concerned about losing their privacy with the federal agency`s steps and just over a third are somewhat concerned about their phone records being tracked.
36 percent believe that the government has gone too far in infringing people`s privacy to counter terrorism.
The survey found that 16 percent think an attack like the Boston Marathon Bombing is less likely after the government`s measures.
ANI
