There are pro-Autobot posters in Sams garage at the beginning of DOTM. So I'd say the public knows.

 

I know, right? Are we all stupid? haha

 

Remember that they said the Bots were being exiled on national TV.

 

What?! I'm watching that part again!

 

Yeah. I think BluRayHiDef grabbed a screenshot of them. Lemmie just take a look for it.

EDIT: Damn, can't find one. Was sure I'd seen a pic that someone had uploaded somewhere. Decided to grab one myself. The Autobot symbol is visible on the poster on the left.

 

In DOTM humans know of their existence, but not specifically where they are, or what they look like. This would justify the Government security at NEST as well as Optimus not being seen in the video chat scene in ROTF.

 

They mentioned Optimus by name? Huh. Didn't know that.

But yes, the Autobots were discussed several times on public television. The public knows.

 

Random Civilian: "Hey, um, that uh 'Health and Human' place, yeah, that's it! Sure are a lot of black wearing folk around there, all of them have those assault rifles too. Wow that must be one badass car show. But it's always the same cars, you'd th'k with all da gun-pointers they'd put some of those euro-trashy exotics up in there with all those fancy do dads."

 

remember in the ROTF the fallen says something about life and we were apon you and in the dark of the moon same too were autobots were fighting in the citys! soooooo yes i think they do!