A new comprehensive analysis by two independent privacy security firms has ranked Verizon as the most trusted communications company for privacy.
On the 2009 list of Most Trusted Companies for Privacy, Verizon is ranked No. 2 nationally and is the only telecommunications company or cable provider on the list. The companies were selected by the Ponemon Institute, an information security research company; and TRUSTe, a leading Internet privacy services and privacy seal provider.
Verizon was also the highest-ranked communications company on the 2008 list of Most Trusted Companies for Privacy.
"It's an honor to be named to this list" said Kathy Zanowic, chief privacy officer for Verizon. "Privacy is a strategic priority at Verizon because we know consumers will only use the full capabilities of our products and services if they trust that their information will remain private. We value the trust that consumers place in us, so it's very gratifying to have our privacy policy and practices recognized for giving our customers the high standard of privacy protection they deserve."
The Ponemon Institute and TRUSTe conducted a two-stage survey to gauge the privacy policies and practices of leading consumer brands. First, the companies across the U.S. were rated as "most trusted" in an unaided survey of 6,486 adult-aged U.S. consumers. Second, the top 20 ranked companies from the consumer survey were judged by an expert review panel at the Ponemon Institute, based on rigorous criteria including the clarity and readability of privacy statements, notice, access to account information, cookie management, in- and out-of-network data-sharing practices, as well as the availability of customer service staff.
(Note: A video interview with Verizon Chief Privacy Officer Kathy Zanowic is available at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oAsAq35httI.)
Verizon, which supports tens of millions of customers by managing billions of personal communications of all kinds and engaging in millions of customer transactions annually, is accredited by the Better Business Bureau Online, assuring that it abides by the bureau's Code of Business Practices.
Earlier this month, Verizon was named to the Dow Jones Sustainability North America Index, in which the company received some of its highest scores for privacy protection.
TRUSTe and Ponemon Institute will host a webinar to discuss the Most Trusted Companies for Privacy awards on Sept. 24, during which. Larry Ponemon, chairman and founder of the Ponemon Institute, and TRUSTe CEO Fran Maier will present. To RSVP for the webinar, e-mail webinar@truste.com with the subject "Most Trusted Company for Privacy Award."
Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ), headquartered in New York, is a global leader in delivering broadband and other wireless and wireline communications services to mass market, business, government and wholesale customers. Verizon Wireless operates America's most reliable wireless network, serving more than 87 million customers nationwide. Verizon's Wireline operations provide converged communications, information and entertainment services over the nation's most advanced fiber-optic network. Wireline also includes Verizon Business, which delivers innovative and seamless business solutions to customers around the world. A Dow 30 company, Verizon employs a diverse workforce of more than 235,000 and last year generated consolidated operating revenues of more than $97 billion. For more information, visit www.verizon.com.
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