Most Americans (63%) say having remote access to their digital files would make life easier—but concerns remain over the security of personal information, including email, pictures, and financial records, according to a Harris Poll.
Less than one-half (47%) of online Americans surveyed say they would be extremely or very interested or interested in using a cloud computing service for email, while 19% would be somewhat interested and 31% would not be interested at all.
For many consumers, however, cloud computing is not a good solution: Over one-half say they would be only somewhat or not at all interested in using cloud computing for pictures (55%), music (59%), office documents (61%), videos (63%) or financial services such as tax files or bank records (69%).
Younger Generation More Interested
There is an age difference in Americans' interest in cloud computing: The youngest generation, Echo Boomers (age 18-33) are more likely to say they are extremely or very interested or interested in using this technology.
Over one-half of Echo Boomers express an interest in using cloud technology for email (56%), pictures (54%), and music (55%), and less than one-half say they are interested in using it for office documents (47%) and videos (46%).
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Security Concerns
Over eight in ten online consumers (81%) say they are concerned about the security of a cloud computing service, while only 25% would trust such a service for files with personal information and 62% would not.
Over one-half of online consumers (58%) disagree with the concept that files stored online are safer than files stored locally on a hard drive, and 57% would not trust that their files are safe online.
About the data: Findings are from a new Harris Poll among 2,320 US adults surveyed online from March 1 to 8, 2010 by Harris Interactive.
