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Poll: Some Americans Are Souring On Big Tech

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Eric Lieberman Managing Editor
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Americans are starting to sour on some of the biggest tech companies in the U.S., according to a poll by the tech outlet The Verge.

Many Facebook users, for example, don’t believe the social media company properly handles data, with roughly 30 percent of respondents saying they either “greatly distrust” or somewhat distrust” it with their personal information. Almost an equal number of participants of the study said the same of Twitter. Other potential responses in The Verge’s survey included “neither trust nor distrust” or “greatly trust.” Amazon was ruled the most trusted company.

Furthermore, most people who don’t use Facebook said they don’t trust it. A lack of trustworthiness was the third most popular response for not using the platform, behind “Don’t want to share anything on Facebook” and “would rather share or communicate in other ways.”

Also, fewer people said they would recommend Facebook to a relative or friend in comparison to Amazon, Microsoft, Google, or Apple. Oddly enough, however, respondents said they would miss Facebook the most if it was no longer available, The Verge’s data concludes. One-third of Americans, on the other hand, said they wouldn’t care very much if Twitter disappeared.

Apple falls behind Google and Amazon for participants expressing that the company has a “very positive” impact on society, which may signal that the fandom is less ubiquitous and growing into more of cult following.

Silicon Valley and tech companies in general used to be the collective golden boy of America, a poster child of U.S. innovation and success. But lately the tides have turned, as their collective and respective power swells, and their influence seeps into so many aspects of society. The corporations themselves would likely say they’ve become the whipping boy for America’s problems, and are not given enough credit for job creation and their portfolio of oft-used services. Nevertheless, the prevalence of critics has grown, including from all angles and political camps.

The Daily Caller News Foundation reached out to Twitter, Microsoft, Google, Facebook, Apple and Amazon, but none responded in time of publication.

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