Pew report on spam

In large numbers, Internet users report that they trust email less and some even use email less because of spam. Why? Users worry that the growing volume of spam is getting in the way of their ability to reliably send and receive email. They complain that it uncontrollably clutters their inboxes and imposes uninvited, deceptive, and often disgustingly offensive messages. Here are the key figures:

• 25% of email users say the ever-increasing volume of spam has reduced their overall use of email; 60% of that group says spam has reduced their email use in a big way.

• 52% of email users say spam has made them less trusting of email in general.
• 70% of email users say spam has made being online unpleasant or annoying.
• 30% of email users are concerned that their filtering devices may block incoming email.
• 23% of email users are concerned that their emails to others may be blocked by filtering devices.
• 75% of email users are bothered that they can’t stop the flow of spam.
• 80% of email users are bothered by deceptive or dishonest content of spam.
• 76% of email users are bothered by offensive or obscene content of spam.