Ponemon Institute Releases 2017 Most Trusted Companies Study

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich., Jan. 31, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Privacy and information security research firm, Ponemon Institute, announced the results of its 2017 Most Trusted Companies for Privacy, measuring consumer perceptions of trustworthiness in companies and federal agencies. First conducted in 2005, the study examines how issues related to consumer privacy and data security, and the ways in which organizations address those issues, translate to consumers' trust.

The 10 Most Trusted Companies for 2017

1. Apple
2. Amazon
3. American Express
4. IBM
5. LinkedIn
6. Facebook
7. HP, Inc.
8. Intuit
9. PayPal
10. US Postal Service (tied)
    USAA (tied)

"Since 2005 we have been tracking the companies and federal agencies consumers trust the most to safeguard their personal information, said Dr. Larry Ponemon, chairman and founder, Ponemon Institute. Consumers understand the risk to their personal information because of the many data breaches that occurred in the past year. However, consumers also believe certain organizations are investing in security technologies and governance practices that minimize the likelihood they will become victims of identity theft."

These organizations are noteworthy because several of them have made the list for several years and is evidence of their serious commitment to privacy. Specifically, American Express, HP, IBM, Intuit and the US Postal Service have made the list of the top 20 most trusted companies for 10 years. USAA has been on the list for nine years, Apple for seven years, Amazon and LinkedIn for six years.

"We strive to earn the trust and confidence of our customers and we are grateful for this recognition of our efforts by the Ponemon Institute, said Barbara Lawler, chief privacy officer, Intuit.

The Most Trusted Companies for Privacy Study provides a list of overall top performing companies and federal agencies that are perceived to be most trusted for their privacy practices. What these organizations have in common is a strong orientation to respecting their customers and providing the best possible customer service.

The research is an objective study that asks consumers to name and rate organizations they believe are most committed to protecting their privacy. Participants are asked to apply the following definitions when determining the companies they trust.

• Personal information – Consider only data about yourself and your family. This information typically includes name, address, telephone numbers, email address, Social Security number, other personal identification number, access codes, age, gender, income and tax information, shopping information, account activity and many other pieces of data collected about you.
• Privacy trust  -- Your belief that the company or federal agency is honoring its privacy commitments to you, and keeping your personal information safe and secure. This includes its commitment not to share your personal information unless there is a just cause or you have given your consent.

More than 100,000 adult-aged consumers were asked to name up to five companies they believe to be most trusted for protecting the privacy of their personal information. Consumer responses were collected using a continuous sampling method over 12 consecutive months, which concluded in December 2016.  This resulted in a final sample of 7,474 qualified respondents who, on average, provided 5.5 discernible company rating that represent 25 different industries.

About Ponemon Institute
Ponemon Institute© is dedicated to advancing responsible information and privacy management practices in business and government. To achieve this objective, the Institute conducts independent research, educates leaders from the private and public sectors and verifies the privacy and data protection practices of organizations in a variety of industries.

SOURCE Ponemon Institute