Mozilla Named Most Trusted Internet Company for Privacy in 2012
Here’s some more proof that Mozilla takes privacy seriously and users from all over the world trust the company with their information.
Each year for the past seven years, a study that focuses on how consumers rank the commercial and government organizations they trust most to protect their personal information is conducted by The Ponemon Institute, organization dedicated to advancing responsible information and privacy management practices in business and government. The institute has recently made public the results of its 2012 Most Trusted Companies for Privacy study and I am glad to announce that Mozilla made the list this year. The company may be the last one on the list, but it made the list.
“Mozilla is a unique technology organization that puts people at the center of the Web," said Alex Fowler, Chief Privacy Officer, Mozilla. "Being ranked the most-trusted Internet company for privacy is validation that users want mainstream applications like Firefox to provide a great user experience and better transparency, choice and control online. Much more is ahead for Mozilla as we work with stakeholders across the Web and mobile to help people understand how their information is being used and shape their own online experience."
Ponemon Institute's Most Trusted Companies for Privacy in 2012
The study was conducted by The Ponemon Institute over a 15-week period. A total of 100,000 adult-aged consumers were asked to name up to five companies they believe to be the most trusted for protecting the privacy of their personal information. 6,704 responded to the study and, on average, offered 5.4 discernible company ratings that represent 25 different industries. After crunching the numbers, the list presented above was released by The Ponemon Institute, organization that conducts independent research on privacy, data protection and information security policy.
The institute also came up with the following findings:
"Consumers in this year’s study said the most significant threats to their personal privacy are identity theft closely followed by an increase in government surveillance," said Dr. Larry Ponemon, chairman and founder, Ponemon Institute. "Unfortunately, fewer consumers also believe they have less control over their personal information."
You can read the entire study released by the Ponemon Institute by clicking here.
Each year for the past seven years, a study that focuses on how consumers rank the commercial and government organizations they trust most to protect their personal information is conducted by The Ponemon Institute, organization dedicated to advancing responsible information and privacy management practices in business and government. The institute has recently made public the results of its 2012 Most Trusted Companies for Privacy study and I am glad to announce that Mozilla made the list this year. The company may be the last one on the list, but it made the list.
“Mozilla is a unique technology organization that puts people at the center of the Web," said Alex Fowler, Chief Privacy Officer, Mozilla. "Being ranked the most-trusted Internet company for privacy is validation that users want mainstream applications like Firefox to provide a great user experience and better transparency, choice and control online. Much more is ahead for Mozilla as we work with stakeholders across the Web and mobile to help people understand how their information is being used and shape their own online experience."
Ponemon Institute's Most Trusted Companies for Privacy in 2012
- American Express
- Hewlett Packard
- Amazon
- IBM
- US Postal Service
- Procter & Gamble
- USAA
- Nationwide
- eBay
- Intuit
- Verizon
- Johnson & Johnson
- FedEx
- WebMD
- Weight Watchers
- U.S. Bank
- Disney
- Microsoft
- United Healthcare
- VISA
- AT&T
- Mozilla
The study was conducted by The Ponemon Institute over a 15-week period. A total of 100,000 adult-aged consumers were asked to name up to five companies they believe to be the most trusted for protecting the privacy of their personal information. 6,704 responded to the study and, on average, offered 5.4 discernible company ratings that represent 25 different industries. After crunching the numbers, the list presented above was released by The Ponemon Institute, organization that conducts independent research on privacy, data protection and information security policy.
The institute also came up with the following findings:
- 78% of respondents perceive privacy and the protection of personal information as very important or important to the overall trust equation.
- 63% of respondents said they share sensitive, personal info with organizations they don’t trust.
- 59% of respondents believe their privacy rights are diminished or undermined by social media, smart mobile devices, geo-tracking tools, and other disruptive technologies.
- 55% believe their privacy has been diminished by virtue of perceived government intrusions.
- 35% of respondents believe they have control over they personal info; but they also believe this trend has gone down over the years.
- 32% said they do not trust seal program and do no rely on privacy policies.
- 49% received one or more data breach notifications in the past 2 years.
- 73% believe the substantial security protections over their personal information is the most important privacy feature to advancing a trusted relationship with business or government organizations.
"Consumers in this year’s study said the most significant threats to their personal privacy are identity theft closely followed by an increase in government surveillance," said Dr. Larry Ponemon, chairman and founder, Ponemon Institute. "Unfortunately, fewer consumers also believe they have less control over their personal information."
You can read the entire study released by the Ponemon Institute by clicking here.
