The public seems to be much more sensitive when the term government is incorporated. We see this as an invasion of our privacy and an encroachment into the territory of our own rights. It is a constant fear that the government is trying to gain control of their lives reducing freedom. No one likes the fear of the government having a view of our houses, streets, schools, etc. available at the tips of their fingers. This point of view was seen when, in the past, the government began listening in on phone conversations. We see this as a total invasion of privacy. With government comes government enforced rules, the question of how long they have had the information, and the possibility of a fee to access the database (since there are taxes on almost everything).
When the public thinks of a private corporation doing this same exact thing, we believe that there is a reason that is beneficial to us. These corporations are thought to be doing it for the public good. These private corporations also don't have a hand in our lives. It is also key to point out that anyone, with access to a computer, is able to see it equally. Private corporations are also subject to the laws created by the “government” which are there to protect the privacy of the public.
One specific example for fear of government is Marxism. The pure fact that the government was scared of Communism (a fear which the public picked up pretty fast) and enforced a law that said even without proof we will condemn you for pure belief is crazy! If anyone thought that you were a part of espionage, they were able to report it to the government who would then prosecute you. This invasion of privacy and rights led to an epidemic of government fear. Even more so then before, people learned anything the government created had the possibility of danger, specifically stemming from all of the power they hold.
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