A recent survey by NordVPN has revealed that one-third of Americans admit to skipping “terms of service agreements” when using apps and other online services. This trend has raised broader concerns about data privacy and user awareness. The survey found that American respondents scored 63% on the national privacy test, which measures digital habits, digital privacy awareness, and digital risk tolerance.
Adrianus Warmenhoven, a cybersecurity expert at NordVPN, explained, “While online debates about the value of data continue, the answer is clear in the cybersecurity field: data is invaluable. Unlike physical assets, personal data can be copied, stolen, damaged, or sold without leaving visible traces, posing serious financial and reputational risks.”
Terms of service agreements generally appear before users gain access to various apps and are designed to inform users about how their data will be collected, used, and shared. However, the survey data revealed that 27% of Americans paid no attention to apps’ privacy policies in 2024.
This lack of awareness contributes to the larger discussion over the risks associated with sharing personal data, especially with apps tied to foreign governments.
Americans skip terms, risk privacy
The issue has gained nationwide attention, particularly after the recent TikTok ban in the United States.
The U.S. government argued that the platform’s Chinese parent company, ByteDance, could be compelled to share user data with the Chinese government, posing national security risks. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is responsible for consumer privacy and data security across several industries. For 2025, the FTC requested a 20% increase in its budget, bringing the requested total to $535 million and 1,443 full-time equivalent positions.
Ten of those positions are designated for the Bureau of Consumer Protection, which supports increasingly complex consumer protection investigations, including those related to privacy and data security. This growing focus on data privacy emphasizes the need for users to be vigilant about their digital habits and the information they share online. Privacy advocates stress the importance of increased digital literacy and awareness to ensure individuals are informed about what they agree to when accepting terms of service.
