Americans' Views of Technology Companies

🌈 Abstract

The article discusses Americans' attitudes towards the role and influence of social media companies in politics, as well as views on political censorship and bias in big tech companies. It also covers Americans' opinions on government regulation of technology companies.

🙋 Q&A

[01] Social media's impact on politics and the country

1. What are the key findings regarding Americans' views on social media's influence in politics?

• Around 78% of Americans believe social media companies have too much power and influence in politics, up from 72% in 2020.
• Republicans (84%) are more likely than Democrats (74%) to think these companies have too much political power.
• The view that social media companies have too much political power has grown more common among Democrats, increasing from 63% in 2020 to 74% in the current survey.

2. What are the key findings on Americans' perceptions of social media's impact on the country?

• Around two-thirds (64%) of Americans think social media has a mostly negative effect on the way things are going in the country.
• Majorities in both political parties see social media's impact on the country negatively, though Republicans (71%) remain more wary than Democrats (59%).
• The share of Democrats who believe these platforms have a mostly bad impact on the country has risen from 53% in 2020 to 59% in the current survey.

[02] Political censorship and bias in Big Tech

1. What are the key findings regarding Americans' views on political censorship by social media platforms?

• Around 83% of Americans say it's very or somewhat likely that social media platforms intentionally censor political viewpoints they disagree with, up from 77% in 2022.
• 93% of Republicans believe political censorship is likely occurring on social media, including 66% who say it's very likely.
• 74% of Democrats think political censorship is likely happening on social media, up from 66% in 2022.

2. What are the key findings on Americans' perceptions of political bias in major technology companies?

• Over 40% of Americans think major tech companies support the views of liberals over conservatives, while only 15% say these companies support conservative views over liberal ones.
• 71% of Republicans believe major tech companies have a pro-liberal bias, compared to 22% of Democrats who think these companies favor liberal views.
• The share of Republicans who say major tech companies favor liberal over conservative views has increased from 64% in 2018 to 71% today, while more Democrats now think these companies support conservative views more than liberal ones (25% today vs. 16% in 2018).

[03] Government regulation of technology companies

1. What are the key findings regarding Americans' views on government regulation of technology companies?

• 51% of Americans believe major technology companies should be regulated more than they are now, while 16% think they should be regulated less.
• Support for more government regulation of tech companies is identical to 2018 levels, though the share who think there should be less regulation has increased from 9% in 2018 to 16% today.
• 60% of Democrats support increased government oversight of tech companies, compared to 45% of Republicans.