Verizon Tops Industry in Survey of Companies Most Trusted to Protect Customer Privacy

NEW YORK - Verizon, which supports tens of millions of customers by managing billions of personal communications of all kinds flowing through its networks and engages in millions of customer transactions each year, is among the top U.S. companies most trusted to protect customer privacy, according to a new study.

In the results of a survey by research firm Ponemon Institute and TRUSTe, the online privacy evaluator, Verizon is the highest-ranked communications company for being the most trustworthy and for doing the best job safeguarding personal information.

The survey asked nearly 6,500 adult U.S. consumers which companies they thought were most trustworthy and which did the best job safeguarding personal information.

"Verizon's commitment to protecting customer information and safeguarding customers' communications guides all of our business operations, so it is very gratifying to know that our customers recognize and appreciate our concern for their privacy," said Kathleen Zanowic, Verizon's chief privacy officer. 

"We remain committed to maintaining and improving upon strong and meaningful privacy protections for consumers," she said.  "The privacy of customer and employee information is an important responsibility, and we value the trust that is placed in us."

In announcing the survey rankings, Dr. Larry Ponemon, chairman and founder of the Ponemon Institute, said, "Consumers want to do business with brands they believe they can trust, and we believe our study is a strong indication of which brands have best earned that trust."

Besides being ranked highest among communications companies, Verizon scored in the top 20 of all U.S. companies for the first time.

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ), headquartered in New York, is a leader in delivering broadband and other wireline and wireless communication innovations to mass market, business, government and wholesale customers.  Verizon Wireless operates America's most reliable wireless network, serving nearly 71 million customers nationwide.  Verizon's Wireline operations include Verizon Business, which delivers innovative and seamless business solutions to customers around the world, and Verizon Telecom, which brings customers the benefits of converged communications, information and entertainment services over the nation's most advanced fiber-optic network.  A Dow 30 company, Verizon employs a diverse workforce of more than 228,000 and last year generated consolidated operating revenues of $93.5 billion.  For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

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