People are concerned about online privacy -- until you offer them something for free.

Fifty-five percent of Americans would hand over personal info for free access to online services, according to a new Pew Research Center report, "Public Perceptions of Privacy and Security in the Post-Snowden Era." That's just one nugget from the survey of a representative online panel of 607 people. A few others:

  • There's "a universal lack of confidence among adults in the security of everyday communications channels," especially the digital ones. Landlines were perceived to be most secure; social media the least secure.
  • Ninety-one percent of Americans feel that consumers have lost control of the information companies collect about them. Eighty-eight percent "agree" or "strongly agree" that inaccurate information would be very difficult to remove.
  • Eighty percent "agree" or "strongly agree" that Americans should be concerned about government surveillance of phone calls and Internet communications.
  • While 61 percent would like to do more to protect their privacy, just 24 percent "agree" or "strongly agree" that it's easy to be anonymous online.

And then there's a chart that ranks people's perception of what personal info is most sensitive, from social security numbers down to basic purchasing habits. As the report says, "At the same time that Americans express these broad sensitivities toward various kinds of information, they are actively engaged in negotiating the benefits and risks of sharing this data in their daily interactions with friends, family, co-workers, businesses and government."

We're concerned, no doubt. But it depends on what you ask for and what freebies we get in return.