Shifting Public Views on Balance Between Security and Civil Liberties Bigger concern about gov't fanti- -terrorism policies?
In addition, a growing share of the public expresses concerns that the government’s anti-terrorism policies have not gone far enough to adequately protect the country (50%) rather than going too far in restricting the average person’s civil liberties (35%).
This is a shift from when this question was asked last year after revelations about the NSA’s domestic surveillance program. Pluralities then said they were more concerned that the government had gone too far (47% in July and 44% in November). Today, the balance of opinion is similar to the public’s views in late 2010.
Shifting Public Views on Balance  | Between Security and Civil Liberties  | Bigger concern about gov't fanti- -terrorism policies?  | Not Gone gone far far restricting eno ugh to protect civil liberties country  | Gone too far restricting civil liberties  | 55  | 50  | 35  | 29  | 35  | 27  | 26  | 2004  | 2006  | 2008  | 2010  | 2012  | 2014  | Survey conducted Sept. 2-9 2014.  | Volunteered responses of Both/Neither/Don "t know notshown.  | PEW RESEARCH CENTER 